Purpose: This feasibility study investigated whether a year-long combined fitness wristband-based and personalized exercise prescription intervention improves Chinese breast cancer survivors' (BCSs) health outcomes.
Methods: Ninety-five BCSs (X̅age = 44.81 ± 7.94; X̅BMI = 22.18 ± 3.48) were recruited from Southern region of China and were delivered the exercise intervention across 12 months, using a single group pretest-posttest design. Participants' lipid profile (e.g., total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides), blood glucose, breast cancer biomarkers (e.g., carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3), and functional fitness (e.g., strength in arms and legs, endurance, balance, agility, and flexibility) were assessed at baseline and 12-month post-intervention.
Results: Thirty-three BCSs successfully completed the intervention. A significant change in blood glucose (mean difference (MD): -0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41--0.03, t = -2.25, p = 0.028) was observed, with participants demonstrating lower levels of blood glucose at the 12-month post-intervention versus the baseline assessment. Notable changes in functional fitness were also discerned, including agility and balance (MD: -0.47, 95% CI: -0.68--0.26, t = -4.336, p < 0.001), aerobic endurance (MD: 89.25, 95% CI: 73.82-104.68, t = 11.336, p < 0.001), lower-body flexibility (left) (MD: 4.58, 95% CI: -4.4-13.56, t = 4.653, p < 0.001), and lower-body flexibility (right) (MD: 4.84, 95% CI: -4.65-14.33, t = 4.092, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The observations suggested that our behavioral change program might promote certain health outcomes in Chinese BCSs, yet we are unable to recommend such a program given existing limitations. Future randomized control trials with diverse samples are warranted to confirm our findings.
Keywords: aerobic endurance; blood glucose; body flexibility; daily steps; wearable technology.