A lifestyle intervention among elderly men on active surveillance for non-aggressive prostate cancer: a randomised feasibility study with whole-grain rye and exercise

Anne Kirstine Eriksen; Rikke Dalgaard Hansen; Michael Borre; Ryan Godsk Larsen; Jeppe Munthe Jensen; Kristian Overgaard; Mette Borre; Cecilie Kyrø; Rikard Landberg; Anja Olsen; Anne Tjønneland

doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1734-1

A lifestyle intervention among elderly men on active surveillance for non-aggressive prostate cancer: a randomised feasibility study with whole-grain rye and exercise

Trials. 2017 Jan 13;18(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1734-1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. ake@cancer.dk.
² Unit of Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
³ Institute for Clinical Medicine - Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
⁴ Physical Activity and Performance Group, SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
⁵ Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Dalgas Avenue 4, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
⁶ Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
⁷ Food and Health, Department of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Almas Allé 5, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
⁸ Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
⁹ Unit of Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract

Background: The prognosis for men with non-aggressive prostate cancer is good, and several studies have investigated the impact of lifestyle changes including physical activity and diet on the prognosis. Despite positive results in animal studies and a few human interventions with whole-grain rye on markers of prostate cancer progression, the feasibility of trials investigating such dietary changes in combination with physical activity remains largely unstudied. The primary aim was to investigate the feasibility of an intervention with high whole-grain rye intake and vigorous physical activity for 6 months in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Methods: In total, 26 men (53-72 years) recently diagnosed with non-aggressive prostate cancer and on active surveillance, were enrolled in 2011-2012 and randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. The intervention included 170 g/day of whole-grain rye and 3 × 45 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity. The duration of the intervention was 6 months and end of follow-up 12 months after baseline. Clinic visits were scheduled at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after baseline. Compliance with the intervention was evaluated by diaries, food frequency questionnaires, biomarkers, and heart rate monitor data. The effect of the intervention was evaluated by linear multiple regression analysis.

Results: In the intervention group, the mean daily intake of whole-grain rye measured from diaries was 146 g (SD: 19) for the first 3 months and 125 g (SD: 40) for the last 3 months of the intervention. The median level (5^th and 95^th percentiles) of vigorous physical activity was 91 (17, 193) min/week for the first 3 months and 66 (13, 259) min/week for the last 3 months. No recordings of physical activity were done for the control group. Aerobic fitness (VO₂ peak) increased in the intervention group compared to the control group after the intervention. No effects were found on other cardio-metabolic outcomes or prostate cancer progression.

Conclusions: The lifestyle intervention appeared feasible for 6 months among Danish men and the results are encouraging for conducting full-scale studies, where the impact of whole-grain rye and vigorous physical activity on prostate cancer progression and metabolic parameters can be evaluated.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01300104 . Registered on 18 February 2011.

Keywords: Feasibility; Intervention; Physical activity; Prostate cancer; Whole-grain rye.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Denmark
Diet, Healthy*
Exercise Therapy* / adverse effects
Exercise*
Feasibility Studies
Healthy Lifestyle*
Humans
Least-Squares Analysis
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Prostatic Neoplasms / diet therapy*
Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
Prostatic Neoplasms / physiopathology
Protective Factors
Risk Factors
Risk Reduction Behavior*
Secale*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Watchful Waiting*
Whole Grains*

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01300104