40 Participants Needed

Exercise Program for Breast Cancer

(SABC Trial)

SW
KL
Overseen ByKathleen Lyons, ScD, OTR/L
Age: 18+
Sex: Female
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: MGH Institute of Health Professions
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, hormonal therapies and adjuvant targeted therapies are allowed.

What data supports the idea that Exercise Program for Breast Cancer is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that exercise programs for breast cancer, like Strength After Breast Cancer, are effective in improving strength and reducing fatigue. One study found that strength training led to 20-50% improvements in strength, which is important for better functionality and quality of life. Another study showed that resistance exercise improved the ability to perform physical tasks, while aerobic exercise reduced fatigue. These findings suggest that exercise programs can help breast cancer survivors feel stronger and less tired.12345

What safety data exists for the Strength After Breast Cancer exercise program?

The Strength After Breast Cancer (SABC) program has been established as safe through a large randomized controlled trial. Additionally, a study on resistance training in breast cancer survivors reported no increased risk or exacerbation of lymphedema, indicating that exercise programs like SABC are safe for breast cancer survivors.46789

Is the treatment Strength After Breast Cancer (SABC) a promising treatment for breast cancer?

Yes, the Strength After Breast Cancer (SABC) treatment is promising because exercise programs can improve quality of life, reduce pain, and benefit the heart and overall health for breast cancer patients.24101112

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to explore whether a group exercise program called Strength After Breast Cancer can be delivered in an outpatient physical therapy clinic to improve physical function among women after treatment for breast cancer.The main questions this study aims to answer are:* Can the Strength After Breast Cancer program and the associated outcome battery be successfully delivered in an outpatient physical therapy clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and do participants find the program practical?* What are the barriers to and facilitators of delivering the group exercise program in a clinical setting and what changes need to be made to the program to improve sustainability and to facilitate implementation at other clinical sites?Participants will complete study questionnaires before and after engaging in the group exercise program and they will participate in interviews following participation in the program.

Research Team

SW

Stephen Wechsler, DPT, PhD

Principal Investigator

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for women over 18 who have been treated for Stage I-III breast cancer and are done with primary treatments like surgery, chemo, or radiation. Hormonal and targeted therapies are okay.

Inclusion Criteria

I have completed initial treatment for Stage I-III breast cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

I don't have any health issues that prevent me from safely exercising.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Up to 1 month
1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a baseline survey regarding exercise self-efficacy, physical activity level, quality of life, and fatigue

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants attend a 1-on-1 physical therapy evaluation and 4 group exercise sessions

4 weeks
5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete follow-up surveys and interviews to assess program satisfaction and provide feedback

3 months
2 visits (in-person), 1 visit (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Strength After Breast Cancer
Trial Overview The study tests a group exercise program called Strength After Breast Cancer in an outpatient clinic to see if it improves physical function post-treatment and how practical it is.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Strength After Breast Cancer (SABC) InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will undergo study procedures as outlined: * Complete a baseline survey regarding exercise self-efficacy, physical activity level, quality of life, and fatigue * Attend a 1-on-1 physical therapy evaluation and 4 group exercise sessions at MGH Waltham * After completing the 4 exercise sessions, complete follow-up surveys including a program satisfaction survey * At 1-month post-program, complete follow-up surveys and an individual, semi-structured interview with study staff to supply feedback about the program. * At 3-months post-program, complete follow-up surveys

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Lead Sponsor

Trials
19
Recruited
2,200+

Findings from Research

In a study of 295 breast cancer survivors, isometric handgrip strength was found to be a weak predictor of 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press strength, indicating that these two measures assess different aspects of muscular strength.
The average isometric handgrip strength overestimated the 1-RM bench press strength by 4.7 kg, suggesting that relying on handgrip strength alone may not accurately reflect upper body strength in this population.
Association Between Maximal Bench Press Strength and Isometric Handgrip Strength Among Breast Cancer Survivors.Rogers, BH., Brown, JC., Gater, DR., et al.[2018]
A supervised exercise training program (SETP) significantly improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional capacity in 93 women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, showing less deterioration in various quality of life domains compared to usual care alone.
Participants in the exercise group experienced notable improvements in physical and cognitive functioning, reduced fatigue, and enhanced strength, indicating that exercise can be an effective complementary therapy during chemotherapy.
Exercise Training Benefits Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Capacity during Breast Cancer Chemotherapy: An RCT.Antunes, P., Joaquim, A., Sampaio, F., et al.[2023]
Strength training (ST) significantly improves maximal strength in cancer survivors, with increases ranging from 20% to 50%, demonstrating its effectiveness in countering treatment-related declines in strength.
While ST also enhances physical function by 7% to 38%, improvements in body composition and psychosocial parameters were less consistent, indicating that strength gains are the most reliable benefit across various cancer types.
The Independent Effects of Strength Training in Cancer Survivors: a Systematic Review.Hanson, ED., Wagoner, CW., Anderson, T., et al.[2018]

References

Association Between Maximal Bench Press Strength and Isometric Handgrip Strength Among Breast Cancer Survivors. [2018]
Exercise Training Benefits Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Capacity during Breast Cancer Chemotherapy: An RCT. [2023]
The Independent Effects of Strength Training in Cancer Survivors: a Systematic Review. [2018]
Results of a diet/exercise feasibility trial to prevent adverse body composition change in breast cancer patients on adjuvant chemotherapy. [2021]
Home-based exercise to alleviate fatigue and improve functional capacity among breast cancer survivors. [2022]
Implementing Strength after Breast Cancer (SABC) in outpatient rehabilitation clinics: mapping clinician survey data onto key implementation outcomes. [2022]
Safety and feasibility of exercise interventions in patients with hematological cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review. [2023]
Chronic Effects of Resistance Training in Breast Cancer Survivors. [2018]
Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Women with and without Lymphedema following Breast Cancer Treatment. [2022]
Effectiveness of physical exercise on the cardiovascular system in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2021]
Exercise for breast cancer survivors: research evidence and clinical guidelines. [2010]
Effect of exercise in reducing breast and chest-wall pain in patients with breast cancer: a pilot study. [2021]
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