Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship 4/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Review

A qualitative synthesis of trials promoting physical activity behaviour change among post-treatment breast cancer survivors

Authors: Camille E. Short, Erica L. James, Fiona Stacey, Ronald C. Plotnikoff

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 4/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Health outcome trials have provided strong evidence that participating in regular physical activity can improve the quality of life and health of post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Focus is now needed on how to promote changes in physical activity behaviour among this group.

Purpose

This systematic review examines the efficacy of behavioural interventions for promoting physical activity among post-treatment breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Behavioural intervention studies published up until July 2012 were identified through a systematic search of two databases: MEDLINE and CINAHL, and by searching reference lists of relevant publications and scanning citation libraries of project staff.

Results

Eight out of the ten identified studies reported positive intervention effects on aerobic physical activity behaviour, ranging from during the intervention period to 6 months post-intervention. Only two studies reported intervention effect sizes. The identification of factors related to efficacy was not possible because of the limited number and heterogeneity of studies included, as well as the lack of effect sizes reported. Nonetheless, an examination of the eight studies that did yield significant intervention effects suggests that 12-week interventions employing behaviour change techniques (e.g., self-monitoring and goal setting) derived from a variety of theories and delivered in a variety of settings (i.e., one-on-one, group or home) can be effective at changing the aerobic physical activity behaviour of breast cancer survivors in the mid- to long terms.

Conclusions

Behavioural interventions do hold promise for effectively changing physical activity behaviour among breast cancer survivors. However, future research is needed to address the lack of studies exploring long-term intervention effects, mediators of intervention effects and interventions promoting resistance-training activity, and to address issues impacting on validity, such as the limited use of objective physical activity measures and the use of convenience samples.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Identifying effective ways of assisting breast cancer survivors to adopt and maintain physical activity is important for enhancing the well-being and health outcomes of this group.
Literature
1.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, Breast cancer in Australia: an overview, 2009, AIHW: Canberra.
2.
Aziz NM. Cancer survivorship research: challenge and opportunity. J Nutr. 2002;132(11):3494S–503.PubMed
3.
Feuerstein M, Handbook of cancer survivorship. Handbook of cancer survivorship. New York: Springer; 2007. p. 504.CrossRef
4.
Aziz NM, Rowland JH. Trends and advances in cancer survivorship research: challenge and opportunity. Semin Radiat Oncol. 2003;13(3):248–66.PubMedCrossRef
5.
Chlebowski R. Lifestyle change including dietary fat reduction and breast cancer outcome. J Nutr. 2007;137(1):233S–5.PubMed
6.
White S et al. Translating physical activity interventions for breast cancer survivors into practice: an evaluation of randomized controlled trials. Ann Behav Med. 2009;37(1):10–9.PubMedCrossRef
7.
Holick CN et al. Physical activity and survival after diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2008;17(2):379–86.CrossRef
8.
Holmes M et al. Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. JAMA. 2005;25:2479–86.CrossRef
9.
Lynch BM. Sedentary behavior and cancer: a systematic review of the literature and proposed biological mechanisms. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2010;19(11):2691–709.CrossRef
10.
Courneya KS, Mackey JR, McKenzie DC. Exercise for breast cancer survivors: research evidence and clinical guidelines. Physician Sports Med. 2002;30(8):33–42.
11.
Hayes S et al. Australian association for exercise and sport science position stand: optimising cancer outcomes through exercise. J Sci Med Sport. 2009;12:428–34.PubMedCrossRef
12.
Schmitz K et al. American College of Sports Medicine roundtable on exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010;42(7):1409–26.PubMedCrossRef
13.
Rock CL, et al. Nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors. CA Cancer J Clin. 2012;62:243–74
14.
Campbell A, Stevinson C, Crank H. The BASES expert statement on exercise and cancer survivorship. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(9):949–52.PubMedCrossRef
15.
Eakin EG et al. Health behaviours of cancer survivors: data from an Australian population-based survey. Cancer Causes Control. 2007;18:881–94.PubMedCrossRef
16.
Lynch BM et al. Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time of breast cancer survivors, and associations with adiposity: findings from NHANES (2003–2006). Cancer Causes Control. 2010;21(2):283–8.PubMedCrossRef
17.
Blanchard CM, Courneya KS, Stein K. Cancer survivors’ adherence to lifestyle behaviour recommendations and associations with health-related quality of life: results from the American Cancer Society’s SCS-II. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(13):2198–204.PubMedCrossRef
18.
Blanchard CM, et al. Current lifestyle behaviours and health-related quality of life in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors. Research Update. 2003;10(1).
19.
Jones LW, Courneya KS. Exercise counseling and programming preferences of cancer survivors. Cancer Pract. 2002;10(4):208–15.PubMedCrossRef
20.
Young-McCaughan S, Sexton DL. A retrospective investigation of the relationship between aerobic exercise and quality of life in women with breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1991;18(4):751–7.PubMed
21.
Segar ML et al. The effect of aerobic exercise on self-esteem and depressive and anxiety symptoms among breast cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1998;25(1):107–13.PubMed
22.
Demark-Wahnefried W et al. Current health behaviours and readiness to pursue life-style changes among men and women diagnosed with early stage prostate and breast carcinomas. Cancer. 2000;88:674–84.PubMedCrossRef
23.
Fong DYT et al. Physical activity for cancer survivors: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2012;344:e70.PubMedCrossRef
24.
Pollard A, et al. Health behaviour interventions for cancer survivors: an overview of the evidence and contemporary Australian trials. Cancer Forum. 2009;33(3).
25.
Michie S et al. From Theory to Intervention: Mapping Theoretically Derived Behavioural Determinants to Behaviour Change Techniques. Appl Psychol. 2008;57(4):660–80.CrossRef
26.
Bartholomew L, Parcel GS, Kok G. Intervention mapping: a process for developing theory- and evidence-based health education programs. Health Educ Behav. 1998;25(5):545–63.PubMedCrossRef
27.
Spark LC et al. Physical activity and/or dietary interventions in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review of the maintenance of outcomes. J Cancer Surviv. 2013;7(1):74–82.PubMedCrossRef
28.
Courneya K. Efficacy, effectiveness, and behavior change trials in exercise research. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2010;7(1):81.PubMedCrossRef
29.
Pinto BM, Ciccolo JT. Physical activity motivation and cancer survivorship. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2011;186:367–87.PubMedCrossRef
29.
Courneya K, Friedenreich CM. Physical activity and cancer control. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2007;23(4):242–52.PubMedCrossRef
30.
Michie S et al. A refined taxonomy of behaviour change techniques to help people change their physical activity and healthy eating behaviours: the CALO-RE taxonomy. Psychol Heal. 2011;26(11):1479–98.CrossRef
31.
Zaza S et al. Data collection instrument and procedure for systematic reviews in the Guide to Community Preventive Services. Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Am J Prev Med. 2000;18(1 Suppl):44–74.PubMedCrossRef
32.
Thomas BH et al. A process for systematically reviewing the literature: providing the research evidence for public health nursing interventions. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2004;1(3):176–84.PubMedCrossRef
33.
Basen-Engquist K et al. Randomized pilot test of a lifestyle physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors. Patient Educ Couns. 2006;64(1–3):225–34.PubMedCrossRef
34.
Bloom JR et al. Addressing the needs of young breast cancer survivors at the 5 year milestone: can a short-term, low intensity intervention produce change? J Cancer Surviv. 2008;2(3):190–204.PubMedCrossRef
35.
Daley AJ et al. Randomized trial of exercise therapy in women treated for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25(13):1713–21.PubMedCrossRef
36.
Kim SH et al. Randomized pilot test of a simultaneous stage-matched exercise and diet intervention for breast cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2011;38(2):E97–106.PubMedCrossRef
37.
Matthews CE et al. Evaluation of a 12-week home-based walking intervention for breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2007;15(2):203–11.PubMedCrossRef
38.
Pakiz B et al. Effects of a weight loss intervention on body mass, fitness, and inflammatory biomarkers in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors. Int J Behav Med. 2011;18(4):333–41.PubMedCrossRef
39.
Pinto BM et al. Home-based physical activity intervention for breast cancer patients. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(15):3577–87.PubMedCrossRef
40.
Rogers LQ et al. A randomized trial to increase physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(4):935–46.PubMedCrossRef
41.
Vallance JKH et al. Randomized controlled trial of the effects of print materials and step pedometers on physical activity and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25(17):2352–9.PubMedCrossRef
42.
Pinto BM et al. Maintenance of effects of a home-based physical activity program among breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2008;16(11):1279–89.PubMedCrossRef
43.
Rogers LQ et al. Physical activity and health outcomes three months after completing a physical activity behavior change intervention: persistent and delayed effects. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18(5):1410–8.PubMedCrossRef
44.
Vallance JK et al. Maintenance of physical activity in breast cancer survivors after a randomized trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40(1):173–80.PubMedCrossRef
45.
Vallance JK et al. Development and evaluation of a theory-based physical activity guidebook for breast cancer survivors. Health Educ Behav. 2008;35(2):174–89.PubMedCrossRef
46.
Daley AJ et al. Exercise therapy in women who have had breast cancer: design of the Sheffield women’s exercise and well-being project. Heal Educ Res. 2004;19(6):686–97.CrossRef
47.
Rabin C, BM Pinto, and G. Frierson Mediators of a randomized controlled physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2006; 269–284.
48.
Rogers LQ et al. Reduced barriers mediated physical activity maintenance among breast cancer survivors. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2011;33(2):235–54.PubMed
49.
Vallance J et al. Understanding physical activity maintenance in breast cancer survivors. Am J Heal Behav. 2010;34(2):225–36.
50.
Hatchett A, JS Hallam, and Ford MA. Evaluation of a social cognitive theory-based email intervention designed to influence the physical activity of survivors of breast cancer. Psychooncol. 2012;10(10).
51.
Prochaska JO, Velicer WF. The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. Am J Heal Promot. 1997;12(1):38–48.CrossRef
52.
Bandura A. Social Foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory. New York: Prentice Hall, 1986.
53.
Ajzen I. The theory of planned behavior. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process. 1991;50:179–211.CrossRef
54.
Vallance JKH et al. Analyzing Theoretical Mechanisms of Physical Activity Behavior Change in Breast Cancer Survivors: Results from the Activity Promotion (ACTION) Trial. Ann Behav Med. 2008;35(2):150–8.PubMedCrossRef
55.
Glasgow RE et al. The RE-AIM framework for evaluating interventions: what can it tell us about approaches to chronic illness management? Patient Educ Couns. 2001;44(2):119–27.PubMedCrossRef
56.
Glasgow RE, Emmons KM. How can we increase translation of research into practice? Types of evidence needed. Annu Rev Public Health. 2007;28:413–33.PubMedCrossRef
57.
Glasgow RE, Vogt TM, Boles SM. Evaluating the public health impact of health promotion interventions: the RE-AIM framework. Am J Public Health. 1999;89:1322–7.PubMedCrossRef
58.
Michie S, Abraham C. Interventions to change health behaviours: evidence-based or evidence-inspired? Psychol Heal. 2004;19:29–49.CrossRef
59.
Glanz K, Bishop DB. The role of behavioral science theory in development and implementation of public health interventions. Annu Rev Public Health. 2010;31:399–418.PubMedCrossRef
60.
Noar S, Benac C, Harris M. Does tailoring matter? Meta-analytic review of tailored print health behavior change interventions. Psychol Bull. 2007;133(4):673–93.PubMedCrossRef
61.
Vandelanotte C et al. Website-delivered physical activity interventions: a review of the literature. Am J Prev Med. 2007;33(1):54–64.PubMedCrossRef
62.
Short C et al. Efficacy of tailored-print interventions to promote physical activity: A systematic review of randomised trials. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8(1):113.PubMedCrossRef
63.
Kuijpers W et al. A systematic review of web-based interventions for patient empowerment and physical activity in chronic diseases: relevance for cancer survivors. J Med Internet Res. 2013;15(2):e37.PubMedCrossRef
64.
Harrison S, Hayes SC, Newman B. Level of physical activity and characteristics associated with change following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Psychooncology. 2009;18(4):387–94.PubMedCrossRef
65.
Short C et al. Move more for Life: the protocol for a randomised efficacy trial of a tailored-print physical activity intervention for post-treatment breast cancer survivors. BMC Cancer. 2012;12(1):172.PubMedCrossRef
66.
Prochaska JJ, Prochaska JO. A review of multiple health behavior change interventions for primary prevention. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2011;5(3):208–21.CrossRef
67.
Rychetnik L et al. A glossary for evidence based public health. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2004;58:538–45.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
A qualitative synthesis of trials promoting physical activity behaviour change among post-treatment breast cancer survivors
Authors
Camille E. Short
Erica L. James
Fiona Stacey
Ronald C. Plotnikoff
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0296-4

Other articles of this Issue 4/2013

Journal of Cancer Survivorship 4/2013 Go to the issue

OriginalPaper

Health-related quality of life in young men with testicular cancer: validation of the Cancer Assessment for Young Adults (CAYA)

OriginalPaper

Why do some patients prefer to leave decisions up to the doctor: lack of self-efficacy or a matter of trust?

OriginalPaper

Projections of cancer prevalence by phase of care: a potential tool for planning future health service needs

OriginalPaper

The impact of comorbidity on Health-Related Quality of Life among cancer survivors: analyses of data from the PROFILES registry

Original Paper

Prognostic factors of work disability in sick-listed cancer survivors

OriginalPaper

Type of hematological malignancy is crucial for the return to work prognosis: a register-based cohort study
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Image Credits