Exercise-based Multimodal Programming: A Treatment Gap for Older Adults with Advanced Cancer

Exercise interventions for older adults with advanced cancer: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

The feasibility, safety, acceptability, and perceptions of exercise in older adults with advanced disease are not well understood due to the scarcity of evidence. This scoping review aimed to (1) summarize evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of exercise interventions for older adults with advanced cancer and (2) explore this population's perceptions on participating in exercise programs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search was conducted by an expert research librarian in Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and SPORTDiscus (inception through November 2023). Eligible studies included older adults with advanced (stage IV or receiving treatment with non-curative intent) solid cancers and intervention or qualitative studies on physical activity/exercise in older adults pertaining to our objectives.

RESULTS

A total of 36 studies were included: 28 (78 %) intervention studies, seven (19 %) qualitative studies, and one (3 %) cross-sectional study. The Frequency/Intensity/Time/Type (FITT) principle was described in 18 studies (64 %). Feasibility was examined in 15 of the 28 intervention studies (54 %) using various definitions. Four studies had predetermined feasibility thresholds, yielding mixed results. One intervention study reported on two intervention-related severe adverse events. Nineteen of the 28 intervention studies (68 %) examined acceptability, reporting high levels of participant satisfaction. Qualitative data revealed several barriers and facilitators to exercise.

DISCUSSION

Exercise appears to be feasible, acceptable, and safe in older adults with advanced cancer. Consistent reporting on the FITT principle and feasibility operationalization are areas of improvement in exercise studies in older adults with advanced disease.

Exercise interventions for frail older adults with cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Frailty is prevalent in older adults with cancer and can lead to complications during cancer treatment and poor health outcomes. Exercise has been shown to be a promising strategy to mitigate frailty and slow the accumulation of functional impairment in the general geriatric population. In this review, we present a discussion on the state of the science of exercise interventions for frail older adults with cancer. This review is timely and relevant given the aging of the population and corresponding increase in proportion of older adults living with cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Existing research related to exercise interventions for frail older adults with cancer appear to show some promise in feasibility and efficacy in both surgical and systemic treatment settings.

SUMMARY

More research on this topic and testing rigorously structured exercise interventions for older adults with cancer may help inform cancer-specific guidelines and create a foundation of evidence to enable implementation of exercise interventions. These interventions can support cancer care to attenuate frailty-related outcomes while extending its benefit to overall health of this population.

Feasibility and Effectiveness of the Exercise Program in Endometrial Cancer; Feasibility and Acceptability Survivorship Trial (EPEC-FAST)

To evaluate the feasibility of an individualized exercise program in the standard care for endometrial cancer patients aimed to improve quality of life and other health outcomes. This was a single-arm prospective intervention trial to assess the feasibility of an individualized exercise intervention in endometrial cancer patients after treatment. The exercise intervention consisted of weekly individualized training sessions, for 10 weeks, at a local gym facility. The program started six weeks post-operatively. Primary outcomes were feasibility aspects including number of eligible patients, recruitment and adherence rates. Secondary outcomes included quality of life outcomes and anthropometric measures. A total of 54 women were eligible for participation, of which 22 (41%) consented to the study. Overall attendance was 86%, and there were no adverse events. There was a significant improvement in quality of life outcomes, including role (p = 0.02), emotional (p = 0.02) and cognitive functioning (p = 0.04). In addition, there was a significant improvement in visceral fat percentage (p = 0.039) and physical fitness (six-minute walk test p < 0.001). The maximum weight loss achieved was 6.0 kg after 3 months and 8.4 kg after 6 months. An individualized one-to-one exercise intervention in endometrial cancer patients is feasible in terms of recruitment, adherence and safety.