Physical activity in older adults with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer: a pilot and feasibility study.

Abstract

Objectives:

This study determined the feasibility of delivering a 12-week structured physical activity programme during chemotherapy to older adults recently diagnosed with metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

Methods:

This study used a single-cohort design. Older adults (aged ≥65 years) diagnosed with metastatic oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic or colorectal cancer who planned to initiate chemotherapy were enrolled. The physical activity programme included a combination of aerobic, flexibility, strength and balance modalities delivered by a certified cancer exercise trainer during chemotherapy infusion appointments, then translated and sustained at home by participants. The co-primary endpoints included: (1) accrual of 20 participants in 12 months and (2) physical activity adherence of ≥50%.

Results:

Between March and October 2018, 29 participants were screened, and 20 were enrolled within 12 months (recruitment rate: 69% (90% CI: 55% to 83%); p<0.001), meeting the first co-primary endpoint. The median age of participants was 73.3 years (IQR: 69.3-77.2). At week 12, 67% (90% CI: 48% to 85%) of participants adhered to ≥50% of the prescribed physical activity (p=0.079 (statistically significant)), meeting the second co-primary endpoint. From baseline to week 12, accelerometer-measured light-intensity and moderate-intensity to vigorous-intensity physical activity increased by 307.4 (95% CI: 152.6 to 462.2; p<0.001) and 25.0 min per week (95% CI: 9.9 to 40.1; p=0.001), respectively. There were no serious or unexpected adverse events. The median overall survival was 16.2 months (8.4-22.4).

Conclusion:

These results establish the feasibility of a larger scale randomised controlled trial that enrols older adults with metastatic GI cancer and delivers a structured physical activity programme during chemotherapy.

Trial registration number:

NCT03331406.

• Authors: Justin C Brown, Elizabeth Brighton, Nancy Campbell, Nadine J McCleary, Thomas A Abrams, James M Cleary, Peter C Enzinger, Kimmie Ng, Douglas Rubinson, Brian M Wolpin, Matthew B Yurgelun, Jeffrey A Meyerhardt
• Journal: BMJ open sport & exercise medicine (BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med) Vol. 8 Issue 2 Pg. e001353 ( 2022) ISSN: 2055-7647 [Print] England
• PMID: 35722047 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.