Exercise and Diet Counseling Program in Improving Quality of Life in Stage I-III Breast Cancer Survivors

Self-reported physical function

Measure with the abbreviated Late-Life Function and Disability Inventory. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Objective functional performance

Using 3 valid and reliable timed performance-related mobility tasks: 400-meter walk (the primary outcome), stair-climb, and lift and carry task. Assessments of Mobility-Related Self-Efficacy to complete each functional task will also be completed with the tests. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Balance deficits assessment

Estimate standing and reaching balance using a balance plate. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Muscular strength assessement

Using standardized one-repetition maximum testing protocols for the chest press and leg extension exercises. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Body composition

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for all outcome measures. The DEXA scans were used to determine total body composition including bone-mineral density, as well as, percentage body fat and fat-free mass for all body regions. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Body weight

Measured to the nearest 0.1 kilogram using a calibrated and certified balance beam scale. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Quality of life (QOL) surveys using the Rand Short Form Health Survey (SF-12)

The SF-12 questionnaire is a 12 -item scale that assesses the Physical (PCS) and Mental Health (MCS) composite summary scales composed of 6 items each on a 5-point rating scale. PCS and MCS scores range from 0-30 with higher scores indicating more favorable outcomes.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Quality of life (QOL) survey using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- breast (FACT-B).

The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast is a disease specific measures including the satisfaction with life scale. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-breast will be used to analyze sample T-tests.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI)

The Brief Fatigue Inventory is a 9-item scale scored on an 11-point rating scale ranging from 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (as bad as you can imagine). Higher scores represent greater levels of fatigue. In this form, there are 5 overarching questions. The first one asks, "Have you felt unusually tired or fatigued in the last week?" which is simply a Yes or No response. The next 4 questions then have answers in terms of a scale. The next 3 have the following sliding scale: 0= No Fatigue, 10= As bad as you can imagine, with 1-9 each representing intermediate responses. For the last question, the scale is: 0= Does not interfere, 10= Completely interferes, with 1-9 representing individual intermediate responses.

Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months

Adherence assessment

Will be defined via attendance at prescribed sessions and will be assessed using exercise logs, upon which participants will record all exercise performed at the center or independently. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Up to 6 months

Feasibility measures

Descriptive statistics for assessments of recruitment rates, adverse events, and retention rates will be calculated prospectively throughout the trial. Feasibility assessments of participants? satisfaction with the exercise and dietary intervention will also be completed at the end of the 24-week intervention. Will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Statistical significance will be assumed at p =\< 0.05, and results will be based on two-tailed statistical tests. Mean change from baseline, paired sample t-test, and effect size estimates will be calculated for each outcome measure. Analyses will be conducted using the intent-to-treat principle to account for missing data with the LOCF approach, used to impute change across time to be zero. Additionally, effect sizes (Cohen?s d) will be calculated by taking the mean difference and dividing by the pooled standard deviation to determine the magnitude of differences observed for each outcome.

Time frame: Up to 24 weeks