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Post-treatment weight gain places breast cancer (BCa) survivors at heightened risk for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and functional decline. Lifestyle weight management (LWM) interventions combining exercise and dietary weight loss represent an effective approach to mitigating the adverse cardiometabolic and functional effects frequently observed in BCa survivors. Unfortunately, community access to cost-effective, sustainable, LWM interventions among BCa survivors remains limited and this lack of easily accessible programming undermines efforts to integrate behavioral weight management in the supportive care of BCa survivors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot trial is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 6-month community-based LWM intervention implementing a group-mediated cognitive behavioral approach in BCa survivors. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of the LWM intervention on select body composition, physical function, and social cognitive outcomes of the first wave of participants enrolled in the trial. METHODS: A total of 11 BCa survivors (M age = 54 years) participated in the LWM intervention. Assessments of body composition assessed (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry), physical function (400m walk test), and select social cognitive outcomes (satisfaction with function and appearance and perceived competence with exercise and diet intake) were obtained at baseline and 3-months. RESULTS: Analysis of change from baseline in the outcomes using Cohen's d effect sizes revealed clinically meaningful improvements in fat mass (d= -0.46), percent lean mass (d= 0.33), lean mass (d= -0.45), physical function (d= -0.59), satisfaction with function (d= 1.89) and appearance (d= 1.16) and perceived competence for exercise (d= 0.42) and dietary intake (d= 0.47). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study demonstrate the preliminary efficacy of implementing a GMCB-based LWM intervention among overweight or obese BCa survivors. Given the meaningful impact that successful weight management has on reducing risk for chronic diseases, these results highlight the ut ility of implementing a LWM intervention in the community for BCa survivors in an effort to extend the access and reach of supportive care approaches during BCa survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing recognition of the importance of lifestyle weight management (LWM) in cancer survivorship, over 65% of breast cancer (BCa) survivors are overweight or obese. Successfully promoting maintenance of lifestyle behavior change and limited community access to cost-effective, sustainable LWM interventions are critical barriers that undermine the utility of integrating LWM approaches in the supportive care of BCa survivors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot trial is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 6-month community-based LWM intervention implementing a group-mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) approach in BCa survivors. In the current study, we evaluated select indicants of the feasibility and acceptability of the LWM intervention. METHODS: The 6-month, community-based pilot trial promotes behavioral weight management through an evidence-based exercise and dietary lifestyle intervention program. Feasibility and acceptability were tracked prospectively during the trial and assessed using retention and adherence rates and self-reported indices of intervention satisfaction and acceptability. RESULTS: Retention at 3 month and 6 months was 72.7%, however, only 45% completion of select functional and strength battery components at 6-month. Adherence to the intensive intervention sessions was 66% at 3M and 42.4% at 6M. Average satisfaction of the exercise, dietary, and group based behavioral sessions were 9.5, 8.75, and 8.63 out of 10, respectively. There was strong interest for participation in a longer trial, (M = 9.12, SD = 1.25), along with interest for technology supported delivery (M = 9.12, SD = 1.8). Overall, there was highly favorable patient reported satisfaction with program content, program structure, and perceived benefits reported at both 3 months and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings provide support for the initial feasibility and acceptability of implementing a GMCB community-based LWM intervention among overweight or obese BCa survivors. Consequently, further evaluation of the efficacy and impact of a integrating the community-based LWM intervention in the supportive care of BCa survivors is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in body composition during multimodal treatment for cancer patients are characterised by decreases in lean muscle mass and increases in fat mass. These changes, in particular loss of lean muscle mass, have been linked with poorer treatment outcomes and increased morbidity and mortality in some cancer populations. While the effect of resistance training (RT) on body composition in healthy and elite athlete populations is well characterised, the capacity for RT to modify body composition in cancer cohorts is less clear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of RT on body composition (fat mass and lean mass) in patients with cancer undergoing treatment and survivors of cancer. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis conforming to PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, SportDiscus, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched up to June 2020. Randomized controlled trials that compared RT to a non-exercise control arm in adults with a diagnosis of cancer (undergoing or completed cancer treatment) were included. Article screening and data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers and study quality was assessed using the TESTEX scale. Separate pairwise random-effects meta-analyses were performed for 'on treatment' and 'survivorship' studies. RESULTS: When RT was performed during survivorship, significant differences between the RT and control groups were found for changes in muscle size (0.38 kg [95% CI 0.06, 0.71], p = 0.02; I² = 50.7%, p = 0.01) and fat mass (-0.55 kg [95% CI -0.97, -0.13], p = 0.01; I² = 71.3%, p = <0.001). When RT was performed during treatment, there was a significant difference between RT and control groups for changes in muscle size (0.86 kg [95% CI 0.25, 1.47], p = 0.005; I² = 0.0%, p = 0.63), however there was no difference between groups for changes in fat mass (-0.00 kg [95% CI -0.82, 0.81], p = 0.99; I² = 0.0%, p = 0.62). CONCLUSION: Modest improvements in body composition were observed following RT in cancer survivors on treatment and throughout survivorship. These changes are smaller than those observed following similar programs in the general population. The reason for these differences warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) commonly exhibit post-treatment declines in muscular strength and physical function. These adverse effects place BCS at heightened risk for chronic disease and functional decline. Theory-based exercise and dietary (EX+D) lifestyle interventions, promoting both regular resistance training and mastery of EX+D self-regulatory strategies, consistently yield meaningful improvements in clinically-relevant outcomes. However, little is known regarding the feasibility or utility of integrating these approaches in community settings among BCS. PURPOSE: The purpose of the Healthy New Albany Breast Cancer (HNABC) pilot study was to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a community-based group-mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) lifestyle intervention in the supportive care of BCS. METHODS: The pilot trial was a 6-month, single-group feasibility study examining the effects of a novel GMCB intervention on EX+D behavior delivered to a cohort of BCS (n = 11; M age = 54 years). Objectively determined chest press (CP) and leg extension (LE) one-repetition maximum (1RM; kg) was assessed using a standardized protocol. Self-reported resistance training volume (RTV; kg) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; 0-10 scale) were extracted individual training logs and averaged across the cohort for the CP and leg press (LP) exercises, respectively. Balance was assessed in the medial-lateral direction via root mean square excursion (RMSE; mm) using a balance plate. Baseline to 3-month mean change was calculated and effect size was estimated using Hedge's g. RESULTS: Modest improvement in average 1RM was observed for both CP (3.12 kg; g = 0.54) and LE (4.21 kg; g = 0.44). Self-reported average RTV also increased for both CP (429.37 kg; g = 1.09) and LP (1807.93 kg; g = 0.98). Notably, both CP and LP RPE remained stable with modest average changes despite large increases in RTV (< 0.61). No differences were observed for RMSE. CONCLUSION: Improvements in strength and training volume together with stability of average RPE indicate successful self-management of training variables. Findings from this pilot study support the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of implementing a community-based GMCB EX+D intervention in the supportive care of BCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]