Is Exercise During Androgen Deprivation Therapy Effective and Safe? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard treatment for prostate cancer (PCa), but can lead to adverse effects.
• Exercise interventions are being explored to mitigate side effects and improve outcomes for PCa patients undergoing ADT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and benefits of supervised versus unsupervised exercise in localized and metastatic PCa patients on long-term ADT.
• To assess the impact of exercise on quality of life (QoL), body composition, metabolic markers, and muscle strength.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 44 PCa patients, comparing a 3-month supervised exercise program with an unsupervised home-based program.
• Primary outcomes included QoL, body composition, and metabolic markers, measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
• Muscle strength was assessed in the supervised group; statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Main Results:

• No adverse events were reported; no significant differences in QoL, body composition, or metabolic profiles were observed between groups.
• The supervised exercise group showed significant improvements in emotional functioning (p=0.036) and all exercise performance metrics (p<0.001).
• Significant strength gains were noted, particularly in leg press (p<0.001), correlating with enhanced self-reported physical function (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Supervised exercise is safe for PCa patients on ADT, significantly improving emotional well-being and muscle strength, leading to better physical function.
• The findings suggest supervised exercise is a beneficial intervention for PCa patients undergoing ADT.
• Further RCTs with longer intervention and follow-up periods are warranted, particularly for metastatic PCa patients.