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- Title
The Effects of Exercise on Physical and Psychological Outcomes in Cancer Caregivers: Results From the RECHARGE Randomized Controlled Trial.
- Authors
Cuthbert, Colleen A.; Ruether, J. Dean; Fung, Tak S.; Tapp, Dianne M.; King-Shier, Kathryn M.; Wytsma-Fisher, Kathryn; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Family caregivers to cancer patients are at risk for physical and psychological morbidity as a direct result of being in the caregiver role. Exercise as an intervention to support caregiver health and well-being has been tested in other caregiver populations; however, no randomized controlled trials testing the effects of an aerobic and resistance training program have been conducted where cancer caregivers only have participated.<bold>Purpose: </bold>To examine the effects of a 12-week exercise program on quality of life (Short Form 36 v2), psychological outcomes, physical activity levels, and physical fitness in caregivers to cancer patients.<bold>Methods: </bold>Seventy-seven caregivers were randomized to either an exercise intervention or wait-list control. Two participants in the exercise arm dropped out immediately after their baseline assessment. Outcome data for n = 77 participants were analyzed using intention-to-treat analysis with linear mixed models.<bold>Results: </bold>Significant group by time interaction effects were detected for exercise on the mental health component score of quality of life, self-reported weekly exercise levels, and the six-minute walk test. Small to medium effect sizes were detected on several outcomes including physical health component of quality of life (d = 0.36), mental health component of quality of life (d = 0.74), depression (d = 0.41), anxiety (d = 0.35), physical activity levels (d = 0.80), and the six-minute walk test (d = 0.21).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>The findings suggest that exercise may improve health and well-being and could be considered as an additional type of support offered to cancer caregivers.<bold>Clinical trial registration no: </bold>NCT02580461.
- Subjects
HEALTH of caregivers; EXERCISE &; psychology; EXERCISE physiology; CANCER patient care; RANDOMIZED controlled trials
- Publication
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2018, Vol 52, Issue 8, p645
- ISSN
0883-6612
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1093/abm/kax040