Evaluating individual level change in physical function response following an exercise program for cancer survivors

Area of Science:

• Exercise oncology
• Cancer rehabilitation
• Personalized medicine

Background:

• Group-level physical function response in cancer survivors is established.
• Individual response variability necessitates personalized exercise approaches.
• Understanding heterogeneity is key for optimizing exercise interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate heterogeneity of physical function response in cancer survivors.
• Identify participant characteristics associated with achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID).
• Utilize data from a well-established cancer-exercise program.

Main Methods:

• Assessed grip strength, 6-min walk test (6MWT), and sit-to-stand pre/post a 3-month program.
• Calculated individual change scores and proportion achieving MCID.
• Employed t-tests, Fisher's exact test, and decision trees to analyze predictors of MCID achievement.

Main Results:

• 250 participants (mean age 55±14 years, 69.2% female, 84.1% white).
• MCID achievement varied: 14.8% for grip strength, 59% for 6MWT, 63% for sit-to-stand.
• Baseline grip strength, age, BMI, and exercise attendance predicted MCID achievement.

Conclusions:

• Significant variability exists in cancer survivors' physical function response to exercise.
• Predictive factors for achieving MCID were identified.
• Further research into biological, behavioral, and genetic factors will refine personalized exercise oncology.