Psychological adjustment and sleep quality in a randomized trial of the effects of a Tibetan yoga intervention in patients with lymphoma Effects of an integrated yoga programme on chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis in breast cancer patients. Health-related quality of life and distress in cancer patients: results from a large randomised study Methodological criteria for the assessment of moderators in systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials: a consensus study Exercise and quality of life during and after treatment for breast cancer: results of two randomized controlled trials. A randomized trial to increase physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Benefits of supervised group exercise programme for women being treated for early stage breast cancer: pragmatic randomised controlled trial Effect of a multimodal high intensity exercise intervention in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: randomised controlled trial The effects of a low-to-moderate intensity pre-conditioning exercise programme linked with exercise counselling for sedentary haemodialysis patients in The Netherlands: results of a randomized clinical trial. Exercise renal rehabilitation program: psychosocial effects. The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a national lay-led self care support programme for patients with long-term conditions: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study. Therapeutic Exercise during Outpatient Radiation Therapy for Advanced Cancer: Feasibility and Impact on Physical Well-Being Implementation of self management support for long term conditions in routine primary care settings: cluster randomised controlled trial A Brief Intervention for Fatigue Management in Breast Cancer Survivors A randomised controlled trial testing the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity behavioural change intervention in managing fatigue with gynaecological cancer survivors. A randomized trial of exercise and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors. Home-based physical activity intervention for breast cancer patients. Effectiveness of physical activity on cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after chemotherapy. Lifestyle intervention development study to improve physical function in older adults with cancer: outcomes from Project LEAD. A Telephone-Based Intervention for Depression in HIV Patients: Negative Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial Yoga improves quality of life and benefit finding in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. A randomized trial on the effect of a multimodal intervention on physical capacity, functional performance and quality of life in adult patients undergoing allogeneic SCT Motivational Interviewing to Increase Physical Activity in Long-Term Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: 2-Year Health Status and Health Care Utilization Outcomes Psychological and cognitive outcomes of a randomized trial of exercise among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Randomized controlled trial of yoga among a multiethnic sample of breast cancer patients: effects on quality of life. The group psychotherapy and home-based physical exercise (group-hope) trial in cancer survivors: physical fitness and quality of life outcomes. Exercise manages fatigue during breast cancer treatment: a randomized controlled trial. A randomized trial of two types of nurse-assisted home care for patients with COPD.
Research suggests that stress‐reduction programs tailored to the cancer setting help patients cope with the effects of treatment and improve their quality of life .  Yoga , an ancient Eastern science , incorporates stress‐reduction techniques that include regulated breathing , visual imagery , and meditation as well as various postures . The authors examined the effects of the  Tibetan yoga ( TY ) practice s of Tsa lung and Trul khor , which incorporate  controlled breathing and visualization , mindfulness techniques  , and low‐impact postures  in patients with lymphoma This study examined the effect of an integrated yoga programme on chemotherapy-related nausea and emesis in early operable breast cancer out patients . Sixty-two subjects were r and omly allocated to receive yoga ( n = 28 ) or supportive therapy intervention ( n = 34 ) during the course of their chemotherapy . Both groups had similar socio-demographic and medical characteristics . Intervention consisted of both supervised and home practice of yoga sessions lasting for 60 min daily , while the control group received supportive therapy and coping preparation during their hospital visits over a complete course of chemotherapy . The primary outcome measure was the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis ( MANE ) assessed after the fourth cycle of chemotherapy . Secondary outcomes included measures for anxiety , depression , quality of life , distressful symptoms and treatment-related toxicity assessed before and during the course of chemotherapy . Following yoga , there was a significant decrease in post-chemotherapy-induced nausea frequency ( P = 0.01 ) and nausea intensity ( P = 0.01 ) , and intensity of anticipatory nausea ( P = 0.01 ) and anticipatory vomiting ( P = 0.05 ) as compared with the control group . There was a significant positive correlation between MANE scores and anxiety , depression and distressful symptoms . In conclusion , the results suggest a possible use for stress reduction interventions such as yoga in complementing conventional antiemetics to manage chemotherapy-related nausea and emesis To compare the effectiveness of individual support , group rehabilitation and a combination of the two in improving health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) and psychological well-being in cancer patients during 24 months after diagnosis , as compared with st and ard care ( SC ) . Furthermore , to compare the study sample and a r and om sample of the Swedish population with regard to HRQOL . A total of 481 consecutive patients , newly diagnosed with cancer , were r and omly assigned to one of the four alternatives . Data on HRQOL and psychological well-being were collected at baseline and after 3 , 6 , 12 and 24 months . The interventions did not improve HRQOL or psychological well-being , as compared with SC . At 3 months , the study sample reported an HRQOL comparable with the normal population . Many cancer patients are able to manage their cancer-related concerns with the support available from SC . However , it is reasonable to assume that the findings suffer from a lack of data from especially vulnerable patients and a possible Hawthorne effect . It can not be concluded that cancer patients have no need for additional psychosocial interventions . Future projects should include screening and target interventions for those at risk for significant and prolonged psychological distress Background Current method ological guidelines provide advice about the assessment of sub-group analysis within RCTs , but do not specify explicit criteria for assessment . Our objective was to provide research ers with a set of criteria that will facilitate the grading of evidence for moderators , in systematic review s. Method We developed a set of criteria from method ological manuscripts ( n = 18 ) using snowballing technique , and electronic data base search es . Criteria were review ed by an international Delphi panel ( n = 21 ) , comprising authors who have published method ological papers in this area , and research ers who have been active in the study of sub-group analysis in RCTs . We used the Research ANd Development/University of California Los Angeles appropriateness method to assess consensus on the quantitative data . Free responses were coded for consensus and disagreement . In a subsequent round additional criteria were extracted from the Cochrane Review ers ' H and book , and the process was repeated . Results The recommendations are that meta-analysts report both confirmatory and exploratory findings for sub-groups analysis . Confirmatory findings must only come from studies in which a specific theory/ evidence based a-priori statement is made . Exploratory findings may be used to inform future/subsequent trials . However , for inclusion in the meta- analysis of moderators , the following additional criteria should be applied to each study : Baseline factors should be measured prior to r and omisation , measurement of baseline factors should be of adequate reliability and validity , and a specific test of the interaction between baseline factors and interventions must be presented . Conclusions There is consensus from a group of 21 international experts that method ological criteria to assess moderators within systematic review s of RCTs is both timely and necessary . The consensus from the experts result ed in five criteria divided into two groups when synthesis ing evidence : confirmatory findings to support hypotheses about moderators and exploratory findings to inform future research . These recommendations are discussed in reference to previous recommendations for evaluating and reporting moderator studies OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of exercise on quality of life in ( a ) a r and omized controlled trial of exercise among recently diagnosed breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant therapy and ( b ) a similar trial among post-treatment survivors . METHODS Fifty newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors were recruited through a hospital-based tumor registry and r and omized to a 6-month , home-based exercise program ( n=25 ) or a usual care group ( n=25 ) . In a separate trial , 75 post-treatment survivors were r and omized to a 6-month , supervised exercise intervention ( n=37 ) or to usual care ( n=38 ) . Participants in both studies completed measures of happiness , depressive symptoms , anxiety , stress , self-esteem , and quality of life at baseline and 6 months . RESULTS Forty-five participants completed the trial for newly diagnosed survivors and 67 completed the trial for post-treatment survivors . Good adherence was observed in both studies . Baseline quality of life was similar for both studies on most measures . Exercise was not associated with quality of life benefits in the full sample of either study ; however exercise was associated with improved social functioning among post-treatment survivors who reported low social functioning at baseline ( p<0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Exercise did not affect quality of life in either recently diagnosed or post-treatment breast cancer survivors ; however this may be due in part to relatively high baseline functioning among participants in both studies . Strategies for future research include limiting enrollment to survivors who report reduced quality of life on screening question naires and targeting survivor subgroups known to be at particular risk for quality of life impairment PURPOSE Interventions to increase physical activity among breast cancer survivors are needed to improve health and quality of life and possibly to reduce the risk of disease recurrence and early mortality . Therefore , we report the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a pilot r and omized trial design ed to increase physical activity in sedentary breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy . METHODS Forty-one sedentary women on estrogen receptor modulators or aromatase inhibitors for stage I , II , or IIIA breast cancer were r and omly assigned to receive a 12-wk multidisciplinary physical activity behavior change intervention or usual care . RESULTS Recruitment was 34 % , intervention adherence was 99 % , and complete follow-up data were obtained on 93 % . Most participants ( 93 % ) were white with mean age of 53 + /- 9 yr . Differences favoring the intervention group were noted for accelerometer physical activity counts ( mean difference = 72,103 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) = 25,383 - 119,000 ; effect size ( d ) = 1.02 ; P = 0.004 ) , aerobic fitness ( mean difference = 2.9 ; 95 % CI = -0.1 to 5.8 ; d = 0.64 ; P = 0.058 ) , back/leg muscle strength ( mean difference = 12.3 ; 95 % CI = 0.4 - 15.9 ; d = 0.81 ; P = 0.017 ) , waist-to-hip ratio ( mean difference = -0.05 ; 95 % CI = -0.01 to -0.08 ; d = -0.77 ; P = 0.018 ) , and social well-being ( mean difference = 2.0 ; 95 % CI = 0.3 - 3.8 ; d = 0.76 ; P = 0.03 ) . However , the intervention group also reported a greater increase in joint stiffness ( mean difference = 1.1 ; 95 % CI = 0.1 - 2.2 ; d = 0.70 ; P = 0.04 ) . CONCLUSIONS A behavior change intervention for breast cancer survivors based on the social cognitive theory is feasible and results in potentially meaningful improvements in physical activity and selected health outcomes . Confirmation in a larger study is warranted Objectives To determine functional and psychological benefits of a 12 week supervised group exercise programme during treatment for early stage breast cancer , with six month follow-up . Design Pragmatic r and omised controlled prospect i ve open trial . Setting Three National Health Service oncology clinics in Scotl and and community exercise facilities . Participants 203 women entered the study ; 177 completed the six month follow-up . Interventions Supervised 12 week group exercise programme in addition to usual care , compared with usual care . Main outcome measures Functional assessment of cancer therapy ( FACT ) question naire , Beck depression inventory , positive and negative affect scale , body mass index , seven day recall of physical activity , 12 minute walk test , and assessment of shoulder mobility . Results Mixed effects models with adjustment for baseline values , study site , treatment at baseline , and age gave intervention effect estimates ( intervention minus control ) at 12 weeks of 129 ( 95 % confidence interval 83 to 176 ) for metres walked in 12 minutes , 182 ( 75 to 289 ) for minutes of moderate intensity activity reported in a week , 2.6 ( 1.6 to 3.7 ) for shoulder mobility , 2.5 ( 1.0 to 3.9 ) for breast cancer specific subscale of quality of life , and 4.0 ( 1.8 to 6.3 ) for positive mood . No significant effect was seen for general quality of life ( FACT-G ) , which was the primary outcome . At the six month follow-up , most of these effects were maintained and an intervention effect for breast cancer specific quality of life emerged . No adverse effects were noted . Conclusion Supervised group exercise provided functional and psychological benefit after a 12 week intervention and six months later . Clinicians should encourage activity for their patients . Policy makers should consider the inclusion of exercise opportunities in cancer rehabilitation services . Trial registration Current controlled trials IS RCT N12587864 Objective To assess the effect of a multimodal group exercise intervention , as an adjunct to conventional care , on fatigue , physical capacity , general wellbeing , physical activity , and quality of life in patients with cancer who were undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy or treatment for advanced disease . Design R and omised controlled trial . Setting Two university hospitals in Copenhagen , Denmark . Participants 269 patients with cancer ; 73 men , 196 women , mean age 47 years ( range 20 - 65 ) representing 21 diagnoses . Main exclusion criteria were brain or bone metastases . 235 patients completed follow-up . Intervention Supervised exercise comprising high intensity cardiovascular and resistance training , relaxation and body awareness training , massage , nine hours weekly for six weeks in addition to conventional care , compared with conventional care . Main outcome measures European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Question naire ( EORTC QLQ-C30 ) , Medical Outcomes Study Short Form ( MOS SF-36 ) , Leisure Time Physical Activity Question naire , muscular strength ( one repetition maximum ) , maximum oxygen consumption ( Vo2max ) . Statistical methods The general linear model was used for continuous outcome while analysis of associates between categorical outcomes was performed as analysis of marginal homogeneity in contingency tables . Results Adjusted for baseline score , disease , and demographic covariates , the intervention group showed an estimated improvement at six weeks for the primary outcome , fatigue , of −6.6 points ( 95 % confidence interval −12.3 to −0.9 , P=0.02 ; effect size=0.33 , 0.04 to 0.61 ) . Significant effects were seen on vitality ( effect size 0.55 , 95 % CI 0.27 to 0.82 ) , physical functioning ( 0.37 , 0.09 to 0.65 ) , role physical ( 0.37 , 0.10 to 0.64 ) , role emotional ( 0.32 , 0.05 to 0.59 ) , and mental health ( 0.28 , 0.02 to 0.56 ) scores . Improvement was noted in physical capacity : estimated mean difference between groups for maximum oxygen consumption was 0.16 l/min ( 95 % CI 0.1 to 0.2 , P<0.0001 ) and for muscular strength ( leg press ) was 29.7 kg ( 23.4 to 34.9 , P<0.0001 ) . No significant effect was seen on global health status/ quality of life . Conclusion A supervised multimodal exercise intervention including high and low intensity components was feasible and could safely be used in patients with various cancers who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or treatment for advanced disease . The intervention reduced fatigue and improved vitality , aerobic capacity , muscular strength , and physical and functional activity , and emotional wellbeing , but not quality of life . Trial registration Current Controlled trials IS RCT N05322922 OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to determine whether a low-to-moderate intensity pre-conditioning exercise programme linked with exercise counselling could improve behavioural change , physical fitness , physiological condition and health-related quality of life of sedentary haemodialysis patients in The Netherl and s. METHODS Ninety-six haemodialysis patients of the Groningen Dialysis Center were r and omized into an exercise group ( n = 53 ) and a control group ( n = 43 ) . The exercise programme consists of cycling during dialysis together with a pre-dialysis strength training programme lasting 12 weeks . The intensity of the exercise programme is condition level 12 - 16 according to the rate of perceived exertion ( RPE ) . Motivational interviewing techniques were used for exercise counselling . Before and after the intervention , both groups were tested on behavioural change and physical fitness components such as reaction time , manual dexterity , lower extremity muscle strength and VO2 peak . Physiological conditions such as weight , blood pressure , haemoglobin and haematocrit values , cholesterol and Kt/V were obtained from the medical records . Health-related quality of life assessment included R AND -36 scores , symptoms and depression . RESULTS A group x time analysis with MANOVA ( repeated measures ) demonstrates that participation in a low-to-moderate intensity exercise programme linked with exercise counselling yields a significant increase in behavioural change , reaction time , lower extremity muscle strength , Kt/V and three components of quality of life , and no significant effects in the control group . CONCLUSION Participating in a low-to-moderate intensity pre-conditioning exercise programme showed beneficial effects on behavioural change , physical fitness , physiological conditions and health-related quality of life The aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial effects of exercise training on hemodialysis ( HD ) patients . Thirty-one uremic patients , aged 50.6+/-11.6 years , on maintenance HD were studied . Twenty patients were selected at r and om for a 6-month  exercise renal rehabilitation program ( ERRP ) consisting of 3 weekly sessions of exercise training . The other 11 patients were assigned to sedentary control status . A formal psychosocial assessment , which included affective ( Beck Depression Inventory , BDI ) , quality of life ( Quality of Life Index , QLI ) and personality ( Eysenck Personality Question naire , EPQ ) parameters , was performed with vali date d question naires at the beginning and the end of the ERRP . After training significant improvement occurred in physical capacity ( VO2max increased from 16.8+/-6.2 to 23.2+/-7.6 ml/kg/min , p < 0.05 ) . Although the level of depression did not differ betwen the 2 groups at pretesting , the ERRP group showed a decrease in their self-report of depression ( decrease in BDI score value , from 21.0+/-10.4 to 13.7+/-9.5 , p < 0.05 ) after the training program . From the relationship between the baseline levels of BDI depression and changes in VO2max in the ERRP group it was suggested that the most severely depressed patients got the greatest beneficial effects from exercise training . Moreover , trained patients demonstrated an improvement in QLI ( from 6.3+/-1.5 to 9.0+/-0.9 , p < 0.05 ) . This improvement was found to be dependent on the participation in ERRP , the effects of the training and the improvement in the depression . All the above functional and psychosocial parameters remained unchanged in the controls . The results demonstrate that ERRP is an effective emotional therapeutic method for HD patients and improves their quality of life Objective : Supporting patients ’ self care could have a major effect on the management of long-term conditions , which has led to worldwide interest in effective self care interventions . In Engl and , self care support is being developed through the “ Expert Patients Programme ” , which provides lay-led generic courses to improve patients ’ self care skills . However , the clinical and cost effectiveness of such courses remains unclear . Methods : Two-arm pragmatic r and omised controlled trial design with waiting list control in community setting s in Engl and . 629 patients with a wide range of self-defined long-term conditions were studied . The lay-led self care support group involved 6-weekly sessions to teach self care skills . Primary outcomes were self-efficacy , reported energy and routine health services utilisation at 6 months . A cost-effectiveness analysis was also conducted . Results : Patients receiving immediate course access reported considerably greater self-efficacy and energy at 6-month follow-up , but reported no statistically significant reductions in routine health services utilisation over the same time period . The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that patients receiving immediate course access reported considerably greater health related quality of life , and a small reduction in costs . If a quality adjusted life year was valued at £ 20 000 ( $ 39 191 ; € 30 282 ) , there was a 70 % probability that the intervention was cost effective . Conclusions : Lay-led self care support groups are effective in improving self-efficacy and energy levels among patients with long-term conditions , and are likely to be cost effective over 6 months at conventional values of a decision-maker ’s willingness to pay . They may be a useful addition to current services in the management of long-term conditions OBJECTIVES Restorative yoga ( RY ) is a gentle type of yoga that may be beneficial for cancer patients and post-treatment survivors . Study goals were : to determine the feasibility of implementing a RY intervention for women with breast cancer ; and to examine group differences in self-reported emotional , health-related quality of life , and symptom outcomes . METHODS Women with breast cancer ( n=44 ; mean age 55.8 years ) enrolled in this study ; 34 % were actively undergoing cancer treatment . Study participants were r and omized to the intervention ( 10 weekly 75-minute RY classes ) or a waitlist control group . Participants completed question naires at Week 0 ( baseline ) and Week 10 ( immediately post-intervention for the yoga group ) . RESULTS Group differences favoring the yoga group were seen for mental health , depression , positive affect , and spirituality ( peace/meaning ) . Significant baseline*group interactions were observed for negative affect and emotional well-being . Women with higher negative affect and lower emotional well-being at baseline derived greater benefit from the yoga intervention compared to those with similar values at baseline in the control group . The yoga group demonstrated a significant within-group improvement in fatigue ; no significant difference was noted for the control group . CONCLUSIONS Although limited by sample size , these pilot data suggest potential benefit of RY on emotional outcomes and fatigue in cancer patients . This study demonstrates that a RY intervention is feasible for women with breast cancer ; implication s for study design and implementation are noted with an emphasis on program adoption and participant adherence Cheville AL , Girardi J , Clark MM , Rummans TA , Pittelkow T , Brown P , Hanson J , Atherton P , Johnson ME , Sloan JA , Gamble G : Therapeutic exercise during outpatient radiation therapy for advanced cancer : Feasibility and impact on physical well-being . Objective : To characterize the feasibility of delivering a structured physical therapy ( PT ) program as part of a multidisciplinary intervention to patients undergoing outpatient radiation therapy for advanced cancer . Design : A single-blinded , r and omized , controlled trial at a quaternary medical center outpatient clinic . One hundred three adults undergoing radiation therapy for advanced cancer with prognoses ≥6 mos and 5-yr survival estimates ≤50 % were r and omized to usual care or participation in eight 90-min , multidisciplinary interventional sessions with 30 mins of each session devoted to PT . PT consisted of truncal and limb isodynamic strengthening targeting major upper- and lower-limb muscle groups as well as education and provision with instructional material s.  Physical well-being and fatigue were assessed with Linear Analog Scale of Assessment . The Profile of Mood States-Short form , including Fatigue-Inertia and Vigor-Activity subscales , was also administered . Results : PT session attendance was 89.3 % . Relative to baseline , mean physical well-being Linear Analog Self Assessment scores at week 4 improved in the intervention group , 0.4 ( SD , 23.6 ) , and declined significantly in the control group , −10.0 ( SD , 21.5 ) ( P = 0.02 ) . Fatigue and vigor were not significantly different between the groups . All intergroup differences had resolved at 8 and 27 wks . Baseline characteristics were not associated with the magnitude or direction of change in outcomes related to physical functioning . Conclusions : Delivery of a st and ardized resistive exercise PT intervention is feasible during outpatient radiation therapy and is associated with preserved physical well-being . However , benefits were not sustained , and fatigue was not affected Objective To determine the effectiveness of an intervention to enhance self management support for patients with chronic conditions in UK primary care . Design Pragmatic , two arm , cluster r and omised controlled trial . Setting General practice s , serving a population in northwest Engl and with high levels of deprivation . Participants 5599 patients with a diagnosis of diabetes ( n=2546 ) , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( n=1634 ) , and irritable bowel syndrome ( n=1419 ) from 43 practice s ( 19 intervention and 22 control practice s ) . Intervention Practice level training in a whole systems approach to self management support . Practice s were trained to use a range of re sources : a tool to assess the support needs of patients , guidebooks on self management , and a web based directory of local self management re sources . Training facilitators were employed by the health management organisation . Main outcome measures Primary outcomes were shared decision making , self efficacy , and generic health related quality of life measured at 12 months . Secondary outcomes were general health , social or role limitations , energy and vitality , psychological wellbeing , self care activity , and enablement . Results We r and omised 44 practice s and recruited 5599 patients , representing 43 % of the eligible population on the practice lists . 4533 patients ( 81.0 % ) completed the six month follow-up and 4076 ( 72.8 % ) the 12 month follow-up . No statistically significant differences were found between patients attending trained practice s and those attending control practice s on any of the primary or secondary outcomes . All effect size estimates were well below the prespecified threshold of clinical ly important difference . Conclusions An intervention to enhance self management support in routine primary care did not add noticeable value to existing care for long term conditions . The active components required for effective self management support need to be better understood , both within primary care and in patients ’ everyday lives . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N90940049 The purpose of this r and omized control trial was to verify the effectiveness of a brief group intervention that combines stress management psycho-education and physical activity ( ie , independent variable ) intervention in reducing fatigue and improving energy level , quality of life ( mental and physical ) , fitness ( VO2submax ) , and emotional distress ( ie , dependent variables ) in breast cancer survivors . This study applied Lazarus and Folkman stress-coping theoretical framework , as well as Salmon 's unifying theory of physical activity . Eighty-seven French-speaking women who had completed their treatments for nonmetastatic breast cancer at a university hospital in Quebec City , Canada , were r and omly assigned to either the group intervention ( experimental ) or the usual-care ( control ) condition . Data were collected at baseline , postintervention , and at 3-month follow-up . The 4-week group intervention was cofacilitated by 2 nurses . Results showed that participants in the intervention group showed greater improvement in fatigue , energy level , and emotional distress at 3-month follow-up , and physical quality of life at postintervention , compared with the participants in the control group . These results suggest that a brief psycho-educational group intervention focusing on active coping strategies and physical activity is beneficial to cancer survivors after breast cancer treatments OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity behavioural change intervention in managing cancer-related fatigue among gynaecological cancer survivors during and post anti-cancer treatments . METHODS A two arm , single blind , r and omised controlled trial was conducted within the Northern Irel and regional Cancer Centre . Thirty three sedentary gynaecological cancer survivors ( stage I-III ; ≤3 years post diagnosis ) , experiencing cancer-related fatigue ( mild-severe ) took part . Participants were r and omly assigned to a behavioural change , moderate intensity physical activity intervention ( n=16 ) or a Contact Control group ( n=17 ) . The primary outcome was fatigue ( Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form and Functional Assessment in Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue subscale ) . Secondary outcomes included quality of life , physical functioning , positive and negative affect , depression , body composition , sleep dysfunction and self-reported physical activity . Feasibility was assessed based on the recruitment rate , programme and physical activity adherence and participants ' programme evaluation , including optional focus groups ( n=16 ) . RESULTS Twenty five percent of eligible women took part ( 33/134 ) . Participants were 8.7 ( SD=9.1 ) months post diagnosis , with a mean age of 53 ( SD=10.3 ) years . The majority of the sample had a diagnosis of ovarian ( n=12 ) or endometrial cancer ( n=11 ) . Significant differences favouring the intervention group were observed for fatigue at 12 weeks and 6 months follow-up ( 12 week : mean difference=-11.06 ; 95 % confidence interval (CI)=-21.89 to -0.23 ; effect size (d)=0.13 ; p=0.046 ; 6 month : mean difference=-19.48 ; 95 % CI=-19.67 to -19.15 ; effect size (d)=0.20 ; p=0.01 ) . A mean of 10 calls ( SD=1.2 calls ) were delivered to the Physical Activity Group , and 10 ( SD=1.6 calls ) to the CC group . The intervention was positively perceived based on exit question naire and focus group findings . CONCLUSIONS A physical activity behavioural change intervention for gynaecological cancer survivors is feasible in terms of participants ' programme adherence and evaluation , and the intervention demonstrates improvements in fatigue . However , confirmation in the form of a larger fully powered RCT is warranted We conducted a r and omized controlled trial to determine the effects of a home-based exercise intervention on change in quality of life ( QOL ) in recently resected colorectal cancer survivors , most of whom were receiving adjuvant therapy . Participants were r and omly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to either an  exercise ( n = 69 ) or control ( n = 33 ) group . The exercise group was asked to perform moderate intensity exercise 3 - 5 times per week for 20 - 30 min each time . The primary outcome was change in QOL as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal ( FACT-C ) scale . Adherence in the exercise group was good ( 75.8 % ) but contamination in the control group was problematic ( 51.6 % ) . Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant differences between groups for change in the FACT-C ( mean difference , -1.3 ; 95 % CI , -7.8 to 5.1 ; P = 0.679 ) . In an ' on-treatment ' ancillary analysis , we compared participants who decreased versus increased their cardiovascular fitness over the course of the intervention . This analysis revealed significant differences in favour of the increased fitness group for the FACT-C ( mean difference , 6.5 ; 95 % CI , 0.4 - 12.6 ; P = 0.038 ) . These data suggest that increased cardiovascular fitness is associated with improvements in QOL in colorectal cancer survivors but better controlled trials are needed PURPOSE The efficacy of a home-based physical activity ( PA ) intervention for early-stage breast cancer patients was evaluated in a r and omized controlled trial . PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty-six sedentary women ( mean age , 53.14 years ; st and ard deviation , 9.70 years ) who had completed treatment for stage 0 to II breast cancer were r and omly assigned to a PA or contact control group . Participants in the PA group received 12 weeks of PA counseling ( based on the Transtheoretical Model ) delivered via telephone , as well as weekly exercise tip sheets . Assessment s were conducted at baseline , after treatment ( 12 weeks ) , and 6 and 9 month after baseline follow-ups . The post-treatment outcomes are reported here . RESULTS Analyses showed that , after treatment , the PA group reported significantly more total minutes of PA , more minutes of moderate-intensity PA , and higher energy expenditure per week than controls . The PA group also out-performed controls on a field test of fitness . Changes in PA were not reflected in objective activity monitoring . The PA group was more likely than controls to progress in motivational readiness for PA and to meet PA guidelines . No significant group differences were found in body mass index and percent body fat . Post-treatment group comparisons revealed significant improvements in vigor and a reduction in fatigue in the PA group . There was a positive trend in intervention effects on overall mood and body esteem . CONCLUSION The intervention successfully increased PA and improved fitness and specific aspects of psychological well-being among early-stage breast cancer patients . The success of a home-based PA intervention has important implication s for promoting recovery in this population PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised home-based flexible training program on cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) , mental distress , and health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) parameters in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after curative chemotherapy . PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred eleven patients age 18 to 50 years who had received chemotherapy for lymphomas or breast , gynecologic , or testicular cancer completed the trial . These patients were r and omly allocated to either an intervention group ( n = 59 ) , which underwent a 14-week training program , or a control group ( n = 52 ) that received st and ard care . Primary outcome was change in CRF , as determined by Astr and -Rhyming indirect bicycle ergometer test ( maximum oxygen uptake [ VO(2max ) ] ) , between baseline ( T0 ) and follow-up ( T1 ) . Secondary outcomes were mental distress , as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale , and HRQOL , as assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Question naire . Two-way analysis of covariance was used to analyze changes from T0 to T1 . RESULTS VO(2max ) increased by 6.4 mL/kg(-1)/min(-1 ) in patients in the intervention group and by 3.1 mL/kg(-1)/min(-1 ) in patients in the control group ( P < .01 ) . The fatigue score decreased by 17.0 points in the control group compared with only 5.8 points in the intervention group ( P < .01 ) . There were no intergroup differences in mental distress or HRQOL . CONCLUSION A supervised , home-based , flexible training program has significant effect on CRF in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after curative chemotherapy , but it has no favorable effect on patients ' experience of fatigue , mental distress , or HRQOL PURPOSE Declines in physical functioning ( PF ) among elderly cancer patients threaten quality of life and the ability to maintain independence . Adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors may prevent functional decline . PATIENTS AND METHODS Project Leading the Way in Exercise and Diet ( LEAD ) , an intervention development study of the Pepper Older Americans Independence Center , aim ed to determine whether breast and prostate cancer survivors ( age 65 + years ) assigned to a 6-month home-based diet and exercise intervention  experienced improvements in PF when compared with an attention control arm receiving general health information . An accrual target was set at 420 , and PF ( Short Form-36 subscale ) , physical activity ( Community Healthy Activities Models Program for Seniors ) , and diet quality ( index from 3-day recalls ) were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months ( 6 months after intervention ) . RESULTS This developmental project did not achieve its accrual target ( N = 182 ) ; however , PF change scores were in the direction and of the magnitude projected . Baseline to 6-month change scores in the intervention versus the control arms were as follows : PF , + 3.1 v -0.5 ( P = .23 ) ; physical activity energy expenditure , + 111 kcal/wk v -400 kcal/wk ( P = .13 ) ; and diet quality index , + 2.2 v -2.9 ( P = .003 ) , respectively . Differences between arms diminished during the postintervention period . CONCLUSION These findings suggest that home-based diet and exercise interventions hold promise in improving lifestyle behaviors among older cancer survivors , changes that trend toward improved PF . Future studies should incorporate larger sample sizes and interventions that sustain long-term effects and also take into account secular trends ; these efforts will require adequate planning and re sources to overcome the numerous barriers to intervening in this difficult to reach yet vulnerable population To determine if a telephone support behavioral intervention improves depressive symptoms among HIV positive out patients , we enrolled 177 persons with Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) scores scores of ≥10 . Participants were r and omized to receive up to 12 scheduled psycho-educational calls over 6 months or to an assessment -only control condition . Co-enrolled informal caregivers of HIV patients received the same telephone intervention in parallel . Among the 160 ( 90.4 % ) participants who were re-interviewed at 6 months , 56 % were male , and 41 % were Caucasian , with a mean baseline BDI score of 22.7 . Overall , participants ’ mean BDI scores improved 5.3 points from baseline , but intervention group differences on depression outcomes including 50 % or greater reduction in BDI scores and depression remission were not statistically significant . In the full cohort , men were significantly more likely to improve than women . We conclude that a psycho-educational telephone support intervention did not reduce depressive symptoms for HIV patients more than an assessment -only control condition This study examined the effects of yoga on quality of life ( QOL ) and psychosocial outcomes in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy . Sixty-one women were r and omly assigned to either a yoga or a wait-list group . Yoga classes were taught biweekly during the 6 weeks of radiotherapy . Participants completed measures of QOL , fatigue , benefit finding ( finding meaning in the cancer experience ) , intrusive thoughts , sleep disturbances , depressive symptoms , and anxiety before radiotherapy and then again 1 week , 1 month , and 3 months after the end of radiotherapy . General linear model analyses revealed that compared to the control group , the yoga group reported significantly better general health perception ( p = .005 ) and physical functioning scores ( p = .04 ) 1 week postradiotherapy ; higher levels of intrusive thoughts 1 month postradiotherapy ( p = .01 ) ; and greater benefit finding 3 months postradiotherapy ( p = .01 ) . There were no other group differences in other QOL subscales for fatigue , depression , or sleep scores . Exploratory analyses indicated that intrusive thoughts 1 month after radiotherapy were significantly positively correlated with benefit finding 3 months after radiotherapy ( r = .36 , p = .011 ) . Our results indicated that the yoga program was associated with statistically and clinical ly significant improvements in aspects of QOL The aim of this r and omized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of a 4- to 6-week multimodal program of exercise , relaxation and psychoeducation on physical capacity , functional performance and quality of life ( QOL ) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation ( allo-HSCT ) adult recipients . In all , 42 patients were r and omized to a supervised multimodal intervention or to a control group receiving usual care .  The primary end point was on aerobic capacity measured in VO2 max . Secondary end points were muscle strength , functional performance , physical activity level , QOL , fatigue , psychological well-being and clinical outcomes . The multimodal intervention had a significant effect on physical capacity : VO2 max ( P<0.0001 ) and muscle strength : chest press ( P<0.0001 ) , leg extension ( P=0.0003 ) , right elbow flexor ( P=0.0009 ) , right knee extensor ( P<0.0001 ) and functional performance ( stair test ) ( 0.0008 ) . Moreover , the intervention group showed significantly better results for the severity of diarrhea ( P=0.014 ) and fewer days of total parenteral nutrition ( P=0.019 ) . Longitudinal changes in QOL , fatigue and psychological well-being favored the intervention group , but did not reach statistical significance . Assignment of a multimodal intervention during allo-HSCT did not cause untoward events , sustained aerobic capacity and muscle strength and reduced loss of functional performance during hospitalization Background : Physical activity can confer many benefits on cancer survivors , including relief of persistent symptoms related to cancer treatment . Objectives : To evaluate the effect of a motivational interviewing ( MI ) intervention on increasing physical activity ( Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors question naire ) and improving aerobic fitness ( 6-minute walk ) , health ( Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 ) , and fatigue ( Schwartz Cancer Fatigue Scale ) in cancer survivors . A secondary purpose was to evaluate whether the effect of MI on physical activities depended on self-efficacy . Methods : Fifty-six physically inactive adult cancer survivors ( mean = 42 months since completion of treatment ) were assigned r and omly to intervention and control groups . The MI intervention consisted of one in-person counseling session followed by two MI telephone calls over 6 months . Control group participants received two telephone calls without MI content . Outcomes were measured at baseline , 3 months , and 6 months , and were analyzed using multilevel modeling . Results : The results of the MI intervention explained significant group differences in regular physical activities ( measured in caloric expenditure per week ) , controlling for time since completion of cancer treatment ( p < .05 ) . Aerobic fitness , physical and mental health , and fatigue were not different between groups . In the intervention group , individuals with high self-efficacy for exercise at baseline increased their physical activity more than those with low self-efficacy ( p < .05 ) . In the control group , increases in physical activity did not depend on self-efficacy . Discussion : Use of MI may increase physical activity in long-term cancer survivors , especially in persons with high self-efficacy for exercise . Multilevel modeling analysis revealed individual changes that would not have been shown by analysis of group means . Future studies with larger sample s or more intense MI interventions may show changes in aerobic fitness , physical and mental health , and fatigue Objectives .To assess the 1- and 2-year health status , health care utilization and self-efficacy outcomes for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program ( CDSMP ) . The major hypothesis is that during the 2-year period CDSMP participants will experience improvements or less deterioration than expected in health status and reductions in health care utilization . Design .Longitudinal design as follow-up to a r and omized trial . Setting .Community . Participants .Eight hundred thirty-one participants 40 years and older with heart disease , lung disease , stroke , or arthritis participated in the  CDSMP . At 1- and 2-year intervals respectively 82 % and 76 % of eligible participants completed data . Main Outcome Measures . Health status ( self-rated health , disability , social/role activities limitations , energy/fatigue , and health distress ) , health care utilization ( ER/outpatient visits , times hospitalized , and days in hospital ) , and perceived self-efficacy were measured . Main Results . Compared with baseline for each of the 2 years , ER/outpatient visits and health distress were reduced ( P < 0.05 ) . Self-efficacy improved ( P < 0.05 ) . The rate of increase is that which is expected in 1 year . There were no other significant changes . Conclusions .A low-cost program for promoting health self-management can improve elements of health status while reducing health care costs in population s with diverse chronic diseases Exercise rehabilitation is recommended increasingly for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . This study examined the effect of exercise and education on 79 older adults ( M age = 66.6 + /- 6.5 years ; 53 % female ) with COPD , r and omly assigned to 10 weeks of ( a ) exercise , education , and stress management ( EXESM ; n = 29 ) ; ( b ) education and stress management ( ESM ; n = 25 ) ; or ( c ) waiting list ( WL ; n = 25 ) . EXESM included 37 sessions of exercise , 16 educational lectures , and 10 weekly stress management classes . ESM included only the 16 lectures and 10 stress management classes . Before and after the intervention , assessment s were conducted of physiological functioning ( pulmonary function , exercise endurance ) , psychological well-being ( depression , anxiety , quality of life ) , and cognitive functioning ( attention , motor speed , mental efficiency , verbal processing ) . Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance indicated that EXESM participants experienced changes not observed among ESM and WL participants , including improved endurance , reduced anxiety , and improved cognitive performance ( verbal fluency ) PURPOSE This study examines the impact of yoga , including physical poses , breathing , and meditation exercises , on quality of life ( QOL ) , fatigue , distressed mood , and spiritual well-being among a multiethnic sample of breast cancer patients . PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred twenty-eight patients ( 42 % African American , 31 % Hispanic ) recruited from an urban cancer center were r and omly assigned ( 2:1 ratio ) to a 12-week yoga intervention ( n = 84 ) or a 12-week waitlist control group ( n = 44 ) . Changes in QOL ( eg , Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy ) from before r and om assignment ( T1 ) to the 3-month follow-up ( T3 ) were examined ; predictors of adherence were also assessed . Nearly half of all patients were receiving medical treatment . RESULTS Regression analyses indicated that the control group had a greater decrease in social well-being compared with the intervention group after controlling for baseline social well-being and covariates ( P < .0001 ) . Secondary analyses of 71 patients not receiving chemotherapy during the intervention period indicated favorable outcomes for the intervention group compared with the control group in overall QOL ( P < .008 ) , emotional well-being ( P < .015 ) , social well-being ( P < .004 ) , spiritual well-being ( P < .009 ) , and distressed mood ( P < .031 ) . Sixty-nine percent of intervention participants attended classes ( mean number of classes attended by active class participants = 7.00 + /- 3.80 ) , with lower adherence associated with increased fatigue ( P < .001 ) , radiotherapy ( P < .0001 ) , younger age ( P < .008 ) , and no  antiestrogen therapy  ( P < .02 ) . CONCLUSION Despite limited adherence , this intent-to-treat analysis suggests that yoga is associated with beneficial effects on social functioning among a medically diverse sample of breast cancer survivors . Among patients not receiving chemotherapy , yoga appears to enhance emotional well-being and mood and may serve to buffer deterioration in both overall and specific domains of QOL Physical exercise has been shown to enhance quality of life ( QOL ) in cancer survivors using pretest-posttest design s and compared to usual care ( i.e. no intervention ) . In the present study , we conducted a r and omized controlled trial to determine if exercise could improve QOL in cancer survivors beyond the known benefits of group psychotherapy ( GP ) . We matched 22 GP classes ( N=108 ) on content and then r and omly assigned 11 ( n=48 ) to GP alone and 11 ( n=60 ) to GP plus home-based , moderate-intensity exercise ( GP+EX ) . Participants completed a physical fitness test and QOL measures ( e.g. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scales ) at the beginning and end of GP classes ( about 10 weeks ) . We had excellent recruitment ( 81 % ) , retention ( 89 % ) , and adherence ( 84 % ) rates and a modest contamination ( 22 % ) rate . Using intention-to-treat repeated measures analyses of variance , we found significant Time by Condition interactions for functional well-being , fatigue , and sum of skinfolds . We also found borderline significant interactions for physical well-being , satisfaction with life , and flexibility . All interactions favored the GP+EX condition . We conclude that a home-based , moderate intensity exercise program may im-prove QOL in cancer survivors beyond the benefits of GP , particularly in relation to physical and functional well-being Fatigue is the most prevalent and debilitating symptom experienced by breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy and few evidence -based treatments are available to manage this distressing side-effect . The purpose of this multi-institutional r and omized controlled trial was to determine the effects of exercise on fatigue levels during treatment for breast cancer . Sedentary women ( N=119 ) with Stage 0-III breast cancer receiving outpatient adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy were r and omized to a home-based moderate-intensity walking exercise program or to usual care for the duration of their cancer treatment . Of participants r and omized to exercise , 72 % adhered to the exercise prescription ; 61 % of the usual care group adhered . The intention-to-treat analysis revealed no group differences in part because of a dilution of treatment effect as 39 % of the usual care group exercised and 28 % of the exercise group did not . When exercise participation was considered using the data analysis method of instrumental variables with principal stratification , a clinical ly important and statistically significant ( p=0.03 ) effect of exercise on pretest-to-posttest change in fatigue levels was demonstrated . Adherence to a home-based moderate-intensity walking exercise program may effectively mitigate the high levels of fatigue prevalent during cancer treatment STUDY OBJECTIVES Whereas pulmonary rehabilitation reduces symptoms and improves the quality of life of patients with COPD and is recommended in management guidelines , few patients have access to rehabilitation services . The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of increasing access to selected components of pulmonary rehabilitation by providing nurse-assisted home care that was composed of patient education , efforts to improve patient self-management skills , and enhanced follow-up . DESIGN We conducted a 6-month , r and omized , controlled trial . SETTING Primary care clinics associated with an urban academic health system . PATIENTS Patients were > or = 45 years of age with a physician diagnosis of COPD , and had a > or = 20-pack-year smoking history , had experienced at least one respiratory symptom during the past 12 months , and had airflow obstruction ( ie , FEV1/FVC ratio , < 70 % ; FEV1 , < 80 % ) . INTERVENTIONS Four nurses were trained in the use of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines , and two of the four nurses received additional training in collaborative management . Patients were r and omly assigned to usual care ( UC ) , nurse-assisted medical management ( MM ) , or nurse-assisted collaborative management ( CM ) . MEASUREMENTS The main outcome measures were of generic ( Medical Outcome Study 36-item short form [ SF-36 ] , illness intrusiveness ) and disease-specific ( St. George 's respiratory question naire [ SGRQ ] ) quality of life and self-reported health-care utilization . RESULTS Overall , 151 patients ( UC group , 51 patients ; MM group , 49 patients ; and CM group , 51 patients ) completed the study , their average age was 69 years , and 56.9 % were women . The average change in the SF-36 general health domain for the MM group vs the UC group was 1.1 ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , -7.9 to 11.2 ) , and for the CM group vs the UC group the average change was 2.5 ( 95 % CI , -7.0 to 12.3 ) . The corresponding changes in SGRQ total domain were -2.9 ( 95 % CI , -9.8 to 4.1 ) and -2.6 ( 95 % CI , -9.5 to 4.3 ) . There was no change in the number of self-reported emergency department visits or hospitalizations , but the utilization of these services was infrequent . CONCLUSION The findings of our investigation and those from the published literature suggest that interventions to enhance patient education , self-management skills , and follow-up among patients with COPD do not result in clinical ly meaningful improvements in health status or self-reported health-care utilization . Moreover , future studies of disease management programs for patients with COPD need to evaluate interventions that address associated comorbidities , exercise , and social support
Objectives To assess the effectiveness of self-management support interventions in men with long-term conditions .