Feasibility of a physical activity intervention for obese, socioculturally diverse endometrial cancer survivors.

Purpose: Determine the feasibility of a 12-week physical activity intervention for obese, socioculturally diverse endometrial cancer survivors and to evaluate whether the intervention improves physical activity behavior, physical function, waist circumference, and quality of life.

Methods: Obese endometrial cancer survivors from Bronx, NY were assigned to either a 12-week physical activity intervention of behavioral counseling, physical activity and home-based walking (n=25), or wait-list control group (n=15). Mixed-design ANOVA (2 groups×2 time points) were analyzed to determine differences between the intervention and the control for the Yale Physical Activity Survey, six-minute walk test, 30-second chair stand test, waist circumference, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endometrial questionnaire. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation.

Results: The sample was diverse (38% non-Hispanic black, 38% Hispanic, 19% non-Hispanic white). Mean Body Mass Index was 37.3±6.5kg·m(-2). Although recruitment rate was low (20% of 140 contacted), 15 of 25 participants in the intervention group attended 75-100% of scheduled sessions. Participants reported walking 118±79min/week at home. There were large effect sizes for the improvements in the six-minute walk test (22±17m vs. 1±22m, d=1.10), waist circumference (-5.3±5.3cm vs. 2.6±6.7cm, d=-1.32), quality of life (10±12 vs. -1±11, d=0.86) and walking self-efficacy (24±30% vs. 1±55%, d=0.87) compared to the control group.

Conclusions: The intervention appeared feasible in this population. The results show promising effects on several outcomes that should be confirmed in a larger randomized control trial, with more robust recruitment strategies.