DOI: 10.1097/01.reo.0000000000000383 ISSN: 2381-2427

Acute Effects of Videoconference-Delivered Exercise Sessions on Energy and Fatigue in Individuals Surviving Cancer

Emma L. Gomes, Mary E. Crisafio, Mosammat Sonia Khatun, A.H.M. Musfiqur Rahman Nabeen, Huong Thao Nguyen, Ann M. Hess, Heather J. Leach

Purpose: High cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and low energy are commonly reported by survivors of cancer both during and following treatment(s) and can be alleviated by regular exercise. However, the immediate or “acute” effects of exercise for improving CRF and energy among survivors of cancer is not well understood. This study examined changes in CRF and energy from immediately before to immediately after exercise sessions during an 8-week videoconference exercise program. Methods: Videoconference exercise sessions were held 1× per week and consisted of light to moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise. Energy and CRF were self-reported immediately before and after each exercise session using a visual analog scale (0 = low, 10 = high). Separate linear mixed models were used for CRF and energy, with time (pre/post), treatment status (ie, receiving chemotherapy at the time of the program) and time × treatment interaction included as fixed effects. Results: Participants (N = 55) were M = 59 ± 9.94 years old, 96% female, with ovarian (61.8%), breast (30%), or other (7.2%) cancer, and 27% were receiving chemotherapy. There was a main effect of time for CRF [F(1, 380) = 18.96, P < .01; MΔ = − 0.63 ± −0.04], and for energy [F(1,380) = 93.91, P < .01; MΔ = 1.16 ± .001], but no effect of treatment status. Conclusion: Regardless of treatment status, CRF and energy improved from immediately before to after exercise sessions during an 8-week videoconference exercise program. Future research is needed to determine how to leverage the positive, acute effects of exercise to enhance exercise motivation and adherence, and to understand how exercise intensity may impact CRF and energy immediately following exercise.

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