Kirsten A Nyrop1, Hyman B Muss2, Betsy Hackney1, Rebecca Cleveland1, Mary Altpeter3, Leigh F Callahan4. 1. Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. 2. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. 3. UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. 4. Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: National guidelines suggest that women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer be considered for adjuvant endocrine treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Joint symptoms (arthralgia) are a common AI side-effect. There is a need for effective approaches to arthralgia management that enable survivors to remain on AI therapy while optimizing as pain-free a life as possible. This feasibility study investigates a 6-week self-directed walking program in a sample of elderly female breast cancer survivors on AIs reporting joint pain. INTERVENTION: Walk With Ease (WWE) goal--minimum 30 min of walking 5 days a week (150 min per week). Eligibility: age >65; Stage I-III breast cancer; ≥3 months of AI therapy; self-reported joint pain/stiffness. MEASURES: (1) walking--number of days/week and number of minutes/walk, (2) visual analog scales (VAS) for joint pain, fatigue and stiffness, and (3) arthritis self-efficacy (ASE) to manage joint pain and fatigue. STATISTICS: t-tests, correlation coefficients and effect sizes. RESULTS: Sample target of 20 was achieved--mean age 71 (65-87), 85% Caucasian, mean BMI 29. Proportion walking 150 min/week increased from 21% at baseline to 50% at 6 weeks (p < 0.001). Mean joint pain at baseline (39.7 + 26.9) decreased 10% (p = 0.63), fatigue (37.4+33.3) decreased 19% (p = 0.31), joint stiffness (46.1 + 27.2) decreased 32% (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: A self-directed walking program among elderly breast cancer survivors on AI therapy significantly increased total time of walking per week over a 6 week period. Joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue also decreased, although not significantly. Testing within a larger sample is warranted.
BACKGROUND: National guidelines suggest that women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer be considered for adjuvant endocrine treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Joint symptoms (arthralgia) are a common AI side-effect. There is a need for effective approaches to arthralgia management that enable survivors to remain on AI therapy while optimizing as pain-free a life as possible. This feasibility study investigates a 6-week self-directed walking program in a sample of elderly female breast cancer survivors on AIs reporting joint pain. INTERVENTION: Walk With Ease (WWE) goal--minimum 30 min of walking 5 days a week (150 min per week). Eligibility: age >65; Stage I-III breast cancer; ≥3 months of AI therapy; self-reported joint pain/stiffness. MEASURES: (1) walking--number of days/week and number of minutes/walk, (2) visual analog scales (VAS) for joint pain, fatigue and stiffness, and (3) arthritis self-efficacy (ASE) to manage joint pain and fatigue. STATISTICS: t-tests, correlation coefficients and effect sizes. RESULTS: Sample target of 20 was achieved--mean age 71 (65-87), 85% Caucasian, mean BMI 29. Proportion walking 150 min/week increased from 21% at baseline to 50% at 6 weeks (p < 0.001). Mean joint pain at baseline (39.7 + 26.9) decreased 10% (p = 0.63), fatigue (37.4+33.3) decreased 19% (p = 0.31), joint stiffness (46.1 + 27.2) decreased 32% (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: A self-directed walking program among elderly breast cancer survivors on AI therapy significantly increased total time of walking per week over a 6 week period. Joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue also decreased, although not significantly. Testing within a larger sample is warranted.
Authors: Kirsten A Nyrop; Leigh F Callahan; Christine Rini; Mary Altpeter; Betsy Hackney; Amy DePue; Anne Wilson; Arielle Schechter; Hyman B Muss Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-01-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Kirsten A Nyrop; Leigh F Callahan; Christine Rini; Mary Altpeter; Betsy Hackney; Arielle Schecher; Anne Wilson; Hyman B Muss Journal: Prev Chronic Dis Date: 2015-06-11 Impact factor: 2.830
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