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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Factors influencing participation in a randomized controlled resistance exercise intervention study in breast cancer patients during radiotherapy

Authors: Sandra M Gollhofer, Joachim Wiskemann, Martina E Schmidt, Oliver Klassen, Cornelia M Ulrich, Jan Oelmann, Holger Hof, Karin Potthoff, Karen Steindorf

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Over the past years knowledge about benefits of physical activity after cancer is evolving from randomized exercise intervention trials. However, it has been argued that results may be biased by selective participation. Therefore, we investigated factors influencing participation in a randomized exercise intervention trial for breast cancer patients.

Methods

Non-metastatic breast cancer patients were systematically screened for a randomized exercise intervention trial on cancer-related fatigue. Participants and nonparticipants were compared concerning sociodemographic characteristics (age, marital status, living status, travel time to the training facility), clinical data (body-mass-index, tumor stage, tumor size and lymph node status, comorbidities, chemotherapy), fatigue, and physical activity. Reasons for participation or declination were recorded.

Results

117 patients (52 participants, 65 nonparticipants) were evaluable for analysis. Multiple regression analyses revealed significantly higher odds to decline participation among patients with longer travel time (p = 0.0012), living alone (p = 0.039), with more comorbidities (0.031), previous chemotherapy (p = 0.0066), of age ≥ 70 years (p = 0.025), or being free of fatigue (p = 0.0007). No associations were found with BMI or physical activity. By far the most frequently reported reason for declination of participation was too long commuting time to the training facility.

Conclusions

Willingness of breast cancer patients to participate in a randomized exercise intervention study differed by sociodemographic factors and health status. Neither current physical activity level nor BMI appeared to be selective for participation. Reduction of personal inconveniences and time effort, e.g. by decentralized training facilities or flexible training schedules, seem most promising for enhancing participation in exercise intervention trials.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01468766 (October 2011).
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Metadata
Title
Factors influencing participation in a randomized controlled resistance exercise intervention study in breast cancer patients during radiotherapy
Authors
Sandra M Gollhofer
Joachim Wiskemann
Martina E Schmidt
Oliver Klassen
Cornelia M Ulrich
Jan Oelmann
Holger Hof
Karin Potthoff
Karen Steindorf
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-015-1213-1

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