Thesis
Evaluating changes in muscle strength and aerobic endurance in endometrial cancer survivors following a home-based exercise intervention
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2024
DOI: 10.25820/etd.007457
Abstract
Background: Incidence rates for endometrial cancer are quickly growing, and with low mortality rates, the prevalence of endometrial cancer survivors is expected to exceed one million. Muscle strengthening and aerobic physical activity is recommended for cancer survivors, yet many endometrial cancer survivors do not meet recommended activity levels. The home-based approach facilitates exercise from home as opposed to traveling to a facility, such as a gym. Muscle strengthening and aerobic physical activity is known to improve physical function. The functional fitness test is validated in older adults to measure multiple domains of physical function, but the complete battery of tests is seldom used as an outcome measure in gynecologic cancer survivors. To our knowledge, there is currently no study that has measured changes in functional fitness following a home-based combined muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise intervention in endometrial cancer survivors. Specific Aim: The purpose of this study was to measure changes in functional fitness following a ten-week, home-based exercise intervention. We hypothesized this intervention would yield improvements in functional fitness. Methods: Ten post-treatment endometrial cancer survivors were enrolled from the University of Iowa Gynecologic Oncology clinic to complete a home-based exercise program. Participants were asked to complete muscle strengthening exercises for ≥ 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions twice per week and gradually increase aerobic exercise to 150 minutes of moderate intensity each week for 10 weeks. Evidence based behavior change techniques, informed by the Social Cognitive Theory, were used to facilitate home-based exercise. The primary outcome of this study was changes in functional fitness from baseline to follow-up. Exploratory outcomes included changes in anthropometrics, accelerometer-measured ambulatory activity, adherence, and acceptability. Results: Ten Stage I (IA and IB) endometrial cancer survivors completed all baseline and follow-up study measures. On average, participants were 63.7 ± 8.3 years of age with BMI of 38.3 ± 7.6 kg/m2. Functional fitness assessments with significant improvements included: 30-second chair sit to stand (Cohen’s d = .71, p = 0.06 ), 30-second arm curl (d = 1.21, p = 0.01), 6-minute walk test (d = .56, p = 0.003), chair sit and reach (d = .58, p = 0.08), and the 8-foot up and go (d = .30, p = 0.1). Accelerometer measured total wear time increased (5474.8 ± 393.4 vs. 5757.2 ± 625.6), revealing no meaningful changes measured in total minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity (MVPA). Participants spent 2% of their wear time in MVPA during baseline and follow-up accelerometer wear. Adherence rates were 54% for muscle strengthening, 89% for aerobic, and 95% for health coaching. The intervention was acceptable and rated very/extremely important to overall health and health behaviors. Discussion: These findings suggest a ten-week home-based combined muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise intervention promotes meaningful improvements in upper and lower body muscle strength, aerobic endurance, lower body flexibility, and agility in endometrial cancer survivors. No meaningful changes were measured in accelerometer-measured activity or anthropometrics. This intervention was feasible, acceptable, and clinically relevant, justifying advancing this intervention to an efficacy trial.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluating changes in muscle strength and aerobic endurance in endometrial cancer survivors following a home-based exercise intervention
- Creators
- Andrea Babcock
- Contributors
- Jessica Gorzelitz (Advisor)Lucas Carr (Committee Member)Kara Whitaker (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Health and Human Physiology
- Date degree season
- Spring 2024
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.007457
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xi, 60 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2024 Andrea Babcock
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/19/2024
- Description illustrations
- Illustrations, tables, graphs, charts
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 57-60).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Incidence of endometrial cancer is quickly growing, and with a high survival rates of this disease, the number of endometrial cancer survivors is also rapidly increasing. It is well known that muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises improve the ability to perform activities of daily living, also referred to as functional fitness. Despite these benefits, endometrial cancer survivors often do not meet the recommended levels of activity. For this study, ten endometrial cancer survivors were recruited to complete a ten-week home-based muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise intervention. Functional fitness was measured as the main outcome before the start of the intervention and after the ten-week exercise period. We also explored body composition changes, adherence rates, accelerometer-measured minutes of activity, and acceptability of the intervention. Improvements were measured in upper and lower body muscle strength, aerobic endurance, lower body flexibility, and agility. Total minutes of accelerometer-measured moderate to vigorous intensity activity and body composition did not meaningfully change. Adherence to this intervention was high, suggesting its feasibility for endometrial cancer survivors. Participants rated the intervention as very/extremely important to overall health and health behaviors, with the most important components being the health coach and health coaching overall, study communications, the exercise equipment, and the exercise instructional session.
- Academic Unit
- Health and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984647256302771
Metrics
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