Kolden, G.G., Strauman, T.J., Ward, A., Kuta, J., Woods, T.E., Schneider, K.L., . . . Mullen, B. (2002). A pilot study of group exercise training (GET) for women with primary breast cancer. Feasibility and health benefits. Psycho-Oncology, 11, 447–456.

A group exercise training (GET) intervention was delivered in a structured format three times per week for 16 weeks. The one-hour GET training sessions emphasized physical activities that promote aerobic fitness, strength, and flexibility. The warm-up period lasted 10–15 minutes, the aerobic training phase lasted 20 minutes, and the resistance training and cool-down phase lasted 20 minutes. Exercise intensity and duration were prescribed on an individual basis using the results from baseline fitness assessments. Two exercise physiologists provided each session. Data were collected at baseline, week 8, and week 16.

• The study reported on a sample of 40 sedentary women, aged 45 or older, who had been diagnosed and surgically treated for stage I, II, or III breast cancer.
• Most women were within 12 months of diagnosis, and all were postsurgery.
• Most women were concurrently undergoing adjuvant therapies.

A quasi-experimental design was used.

• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
• Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
• Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)
• Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES)
• Global Assessment Scale (GAS)
• Life Functioning Scales (LFS)
• Physiologic measures
  • Heart rate and blood pressure, height and weight
  • Body fat through skinfold fat thickness
  • Single-stage submaximal treadmill walking test
  • Sit-and-Reach Test to measure flexibility
  • Variable resistance equipment to measure body strength

BDI, PANAS, and HRSD were significantly improved from baseline to week 16. There was no statistically significant change in anxiety, as measured by STAI, after the exercise intervention. At baseline, participants were not experiencing high levels of distress.

Anxiety levels were not changed significantly from this exercise program, although other health benefits were reported.

• The study had a small sample.
• Outcomes were conceptualized and measured multidimensionally rather than unidimensionally (e.g., aerobic capacity or mood/distress only).
• The sample included patients with breast cancer only.
• The study had special costs or training due to use of exercise physiologists.
• The study required individual tailoring of intervention.