Embedding Supervised Exercise Training for Men on Androgen Deprivation Therapy Into Standard Prostate Cancer Care: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Abstract

\n Lifestyle interventions involving exercise training offset the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer (PCa). Yet provision of integrated exercise pathways in cancer care is sparse. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an embedded supervised exercise training intervention into standard PCa care in a single-arm, multicentre prospective cohort study. Feasibility included recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity and safety. Acceptability of behaviourally informed healthcare and exercise professional training was assessed qualitatively. Despite the imposition of lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic, referral rates into and adherence to, the intervention was high. Of the 45 men eligible for participation, 79% received the intervention. Patients completed a mean of 27 minutes of aerobic exercise per session (SD=3.48), at 77% heart rate maximum (92% of target dose), and 3 sets of 10 reps of 3 resistance exercises twice weekly for 12 weeks, without serious adverse event. The intervention was delivered by healthcare and exercise professionals with moderate to high fidelity and the intervention was deemed highly acceptable to patients. The impact of societal changes due to the pandemic on the delivery of this face-to-face intervention remain uncertain but positive impacts of embedding exercise provision into PCa care warrant long-term investigation.