RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Physical activity in older adults with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer: a pilot and feasibility study
JF BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
JO BMJ OPEN SP EX MED
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e001353
DO 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001353
VO 8
IS 2
A1 Justin C Brown
A1 Elizabeth Brighton
A1 Nancy Campbell
A1 Nadine J McCleary
A1 Thomas A Abrams
A1 James M Cleary
A1 Peter C Enzinger
A1 Kimmie Ng
A1 Douglas Rubinson
A1 Brian M Wolpin
A1 Matthew B Yurgelun
A1 Jeffrey A Meyerhardt
YR 2022
UL http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/8/2/e001353.abstract
AB 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.Data are available upon reasonable request.