Pilot Study of Dose-Response Effects of Exercise on Change in C-Reactive Protein, Cortisol, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Cancer Survivors.

Fatigue, stress, and depression contribute to poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among cancer survivors. This study examined the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on HRQoL and biomarkers of stress. Cancer survivors ( = 76, 91% female, 39% breast cancer, 32% gynecologic cancer) were enrolled in CART for three 60-min sessions, weekly, for 26 weeks. Participants completed the National Institutes of Health's Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (NIH PROMIS) fatigue assessment and the SF-36. Cortisol and c-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed using volunteered blood specimens. Baseline fatigue scores were worse for participants completing treatment within the last year, compared to long-term survivors [ = (2, 59) = 3.470,  = 0.038]. After 26 weeks, fatigue scores improved by a noteworthy two points [ = 52.72, standard deviation, SD = 10.10 vs.  = 50.67, SD = 10.14; (48) = 1.7145,  = 0.092]. Pre- to postintervention improvements in bodily pain [ = 50.54, SD = 9.51 vs.  = 48.20, SD = 10.07; (33) = 2.913,  = 0.006] and limitations in social functioning [ = 50.60, SD = 9.17 vs.  = 47.75, SD = 11.66; (33) = 2.206,  = 0.034], as well as a mean decrease of 1.64 ± 10.11 mg/L in CRP levels [(107) = 1.261,  = 5.965], were observed. Participants within 1 year of treatment completion experienced greater improvements in post CRP levels compared to those who had treatment 1-4 years ( = 0.030) and 5 or more years ago ( = 0.023). Physical functioning, fatigue, fear/anxiety, social role satisfaction, and CRP levels improved following participation in this exercise intervention. Oncologists should consider recommending CART as soon as medically feasible following the cessation of cancer treatment.