A Mixed-apprOach program To help women wIth breast cancer stay actiVE (MOTIVE program): A pilot-controlled study
Valentina Natalucci,
Francesco Lucertini,
Luciana Vallorani,
Giorgio Brandi,
Manuela Marchegiani,
Mirco Pistelli,
Rossana Berardi,
Maria Gabriella Ceravolo,
Elena Barbieri,
Marianna Capecci
Affiliations
Valentina Natalucci
Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via I. Maggetti, 26, 61029, Urbino, Italy
Francesco Lucertini
Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via I. Maggetti, 26, 61029, Urbino, Italy
Luciana Vallorani
Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via I. Maggetti, 26, 61029, Urbino, Italy
Giorgio Brandi
Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via I. Maggetti, 26, 61029, Urbino, Italy
Manuela Marchegiani
Neuro-rehabilitation Clinic, Breast Unit, Department of Neurological Science, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona”, Via Conca, 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
Mirco Pistelli
Oncology Clinic, Breast Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona”, Via Conca, 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
Rossana Berardi
Oncology Clinic, Breast Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona”, Via Conca, 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy; Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto, 10, 60126, Ancona, Italy
Maria Gabriella Ceravolo
Neuro-rehabilitation Clinic, Breast Unit, Department of Neurological Science, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona”, Via Conca, 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto, 10, 60126, Ancona, Italy
Elena Barbieri
Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via I. Maggetti, 26, 61029, Urbino, Italy
Marianna Capecci
Neuro-rehabilitation Clinic, Breast Unit, Department of Neurological Science, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona”, Via Conca, 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto, 10, 60126, Ancona, Italy; Corresponding author.
Given the benefits of physical activity for breast cancer survivals, this pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of the MOTIVE program at achieving and maintaining the recommended physical activity level in women diagnosed and treated breast cancer, over 16 weeks. We conduct a pilot-controlled study of 20 women diagnosed with breast cancer stage I, II or IIIa. In this study, women of Intervention Arm (n = 10) received the MOTIVE program. This group was compared to women of Control Arm (n = 10) who received only counselling. Health-related fitness measures, and quality of life were assessed at baseline (t0) and after 4 (t1), 8 (t2) and 16 (t3) weeks. Intervention Arm women reached the recommended physical activity guidelines at t1 and t2 (eff.size = 1.9 [1.0–3.1]), and 90% continued to be active, autonomously, at t3 (eff.size = 1.12 [0.21–2.12]). Intervention Arm participants’ arm strength, fitness levels and quality of life also improved over time. No significant improvements in outcome measures were observed in Control Arm participants. These results are encouraging and suggest that the MOTIVE program may be a viable, well tolerated and effective option to help breast cancer women reaching a stable physical activity level over time, which meets prevention-related goals.
