Feasibility Of A Home-based, Remotely-supervised Exercise Intervention In Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Exercise at doses ≥18 metabolic equivalent (MET) hours/week is linked with a 50% reduction in colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and 42% reduction in all-cause mortality; yet, participation in exercise among CRC survivors is low. PURPOSE: To demonstrate feasibility of a home-based, remotely-supervised exercise intervention at a dose of ≥18 MET hours/week in CRC survivors. METHODS: Stage II-III CRC survivors (n = 7; age = 42.0 ± 8.5 years; females n = 3) who were post-resection and/or adjuvant therapy were randomized to a 12-week high-intensity interval training (n = 2) or moderate-intensity continuous exercise intervention (n = 5). Both exercise prescriptions progressed across the first 4-weeks to achieve an exercise dose of ≥18 MET hours/week. Participants self-selected the mode of weight-bearing aerobic exercise. Wrist-worn fitness trackers and a chest strap to monitor heart rate were provided to all participants. The following were assessed at baseline and 12-weeks: body composition (air displacement plethysmography), handgrip strength (hand dynamometer), short physical performance battery, PROMIS Physical Function (Short Form 6b), chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (Neuropathy Total Symptom Score-6 and Utah Early Neuropathy Scale), carcinoembryonic antigen level, and Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity scores. Feasibility was assessed using adherence, defined as the percentage of prescribed sessions completed. Paired samples t-tests were used to explore changes in physical assessments. RESULTS: Adherence rates ranged from 63.0% to 100.0% across participants with an average of 88.6% ± 12.4% (mean ± SD). No adverse events were reported. Hand grip strength significantly increased from baseline (35.9 ± 3.8 kg) to 12-weeks (37.7 ± 3.3 kg; p = 0.02), regardless of group. There were no significant differences in body fat percentage, short physical performance battery scores, physical function, neuropathy scores, carcinoembryonic antigen level, or physical activity across the 12-week intervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A home-based, remotely-supervised exercise intervention at a dose of ≥18 MET hours/week was feasible in CRC survivors. Further research is needed to determine the effect of 12-weeks of exercise at a dose ≥18 MET hours/week on physical outcomes linked with CRC survival.