Individuals diagnosed with cancer tend to be inactive and have symptom burdens that impact quality of life. A community-based Nordic Pole Walking (NPW) program may help. The primary objective of this study was to see if it was feasible to do to a larger trial. The secondary objective was to determine the effects of NPW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). NPW or no NPW was randomly assigned to adults with non-small cell lung, prostate, colorectal, and endometrial. Eight people were enrolled in the study with 4 in the NPW group (1 dropped out) and 4 in the no NPW group.
Individuals diagnosed with cancer tend to be inactive and have symptom burdens that impact quality of life. An individualized, community-based Nordic pole walking (NPW) program may help. The primary objective of this study was to assess feasibility using the Thabane Framework of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The secondary objective was to determine the effects of NPW on physical function (six-minute walk test, 30-second \[30-s\] chair stand test, Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise Test, handgrip strength, physical activity \[PA\]), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL, 36-Item Short Form Health \[SF-36\]). The study design was an eight-week multi-centred block randomized controlled feasibility study (no blinding) comparing a NPW program (versus usual daily routine) for adults with non-small cell lung, prostate, colorectal, and endometrial cancer, from hospitals and cancer support groups.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
8
Feasibility (assessed by qualitative field notes)
Feasibility was assessed using the framework as described by: Thabane L et al (2010) A tutorial on pilot studies: the what, why and how. BMC Medical Research Methodology, vol 10. England, p 1. The Thabane Framework uses 4 criteria to measure feasibility: Process, Resources, Management and Scientific. For each criteria, detailed field notes regarding objectives and measures were maintained throughout the study. These notes on the four Thabane criteria were used to categorize the study to one of four possible outcomes: 1) stop - the study is not feasible; 2) continue, but modify the protocol - the study is feasible with modifications; 3) continue without modifications, but monitor closely - the study is feasible with close monitoring; and 4) continue without modifications - the study is feasible as is.
Time frame: 8 weeks
6-minute walk test (6MWT)
The 6MWT is a measure of submaximal functional capacity. Average healthy norms (61 to 80 years old) range from 583m (women) to 687m (men).
Time frame: 8 weeks
30-second chair stand test
The 30-s chair stand test is a measure of lower body strength. In 60 to 94 years olds, average healthy norms range from 13 (women) to 14 (men)
Time frame: 8 weeks
Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise Test (UULEX)
UULEX, an incremental test that measures peak unsupported arm exercise capacity. UULEX average healthy norms (40 to 89 years old) range from 11 (women) to 12 minutes (men).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Hand grip strength
average healthy norms (60 to 79 years old) ranging from 24kg (women) and 41kg
Time frame: 8 weeks
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L)
The FACT-L is a measure of health-related quality of life and includes 4 general and 1 lung cancer symptom-specific domain. The general domains (27 questions) include: physical well-being (PWB), social/family well-being (SWB), emotional well-being (EWB), and functional well-being (FWB). The lung cancer symptom specific (LCS) domain (7 questions) evaluates symptoms that are commonly experienced by lung cancer patients (i.e. shortness of breath, weight loss, and chest tightness). Domain scores are then combined to calculate the Total Outcome Index (TOI) (TOI = PWB + FWB + LCS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) score (FACT G = PWB + SWB + EWB + FWB), and FACT-L score (FACT-L = FACT- G + LCS). TOI range 0 to 135 with higher score better quality of life.
Time frame: 8 weeks
36-Item Short Form Health (SF-36) Questionnaire
The SF-36 is a measure of generic health-related quality of life. It assesses 8 health concepts (scales): 1) limitations in physical activities because of health problems; 2) limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems; 3) limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems; 4) bodily pain; 5) general mental health; 6) limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems; 7) vitality; and 8) general health perceptions. Scoring is a two-step process. First, precoded numeric values are recoded per a scoring key. In addition, each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores (quality of life) are 0 and 100, respectively. Scores represent the percentage of total possible score achieved. In step 2, items in the same scale are averaged together to create the 8 scale scores. More information: https://www.rand.org/health-care/surveys\_tools/mos/36-item-short-form/scoring.html.
Time frame: 8 weeks
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
The IPAQ is a measure physical activity level. Questions ask about walking, moderate-intensity activities, vigorous-intensity activities, and sitting during the following 4 domains: a) leisure time physical activity; b) domestic and gardening activities; c) work-related physical activity; and d) transport-related physical activity. Two types of scoring were done: 1) in categories (low activity levels, moderate activity levels or high activity levels), and 2) as a continuous variable (MET minutes a week). MET minutes represent the amount of energy expended carrying out physical activity and is a multiple of a person's estimated resting energy expenditure. One MET is what is expended when at rest. To get MET minutes a week from the IPAQ walking was considered 3.3 METS, moderate physical activity to be 4 METS and vigorous physical activity 8 METS. (reference: https://ugc.futurelearn.com/uploads/files/bc/c5/bcc53b14-ec1e-4d90-88e3-1568682f32ae/IPAQ\_PDF.pdf)
Time frame: 8 weeks
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