None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Brief description of the study purpose: This study aim to identify preferences, barriers, and facilitators for engaging in exercise among women who are diagnosed with breast cancer (or undergoing treatment) and are pregnant / within 18 months of giving birth. Who was it for? This study was eligible for a woman aged 18 years and older diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy or within 18 months postpartum in the past 5 years. All participants completed the Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) pre-exercise screening and obtained medical clearance. Study details Participants who enrolled in this study underwent semi-structured interviews to explore their exercise history, preferences, and the barriers and facilitators influencing physical activity during pregnancy, postpartum, and cancer treatment. Participants were then offered an 8-week supervised online exercise program delivered via Microsoft Teams, consisted of both aerobic and resistance training. Baseline assessments included anthropometrics, functional tests (2-minute step test, chair rise, and 30-second push-up), and quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30, with follow-up testing completed 3–5 days after the program. The result from this study helped to investigate the feasibility of running an exercise intervention with this population, and how it affects quality of life, strength, and functional physical capacity.
Interventions
Study Designs
A mixed-methods design was implemented. Semi-structured interviews explored exercise preferences, facilitators and barriers, offering insight into the unique challenges women with Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer (PABC) face and informing future research. Participants were offered a supervised 8-week online exercise program (aerobic and resistance exercise) via Microsoft Teams. Baseline assessments included anthropometrics, physical function (2-minute step test, chair rise and 30
Study Designs A mixed-methods design was implemented. Semi-structured interviews explored exercise preferences, facilitators and barriers, offering insight into the unique challenges women with Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer (PABC) face and informing future research. Participants were offered a supervised 8-week online exercise program (aerobic and resistance exercise) via Microsoft Teams. Baseline assessments included anthropometrics, physical function (2-minute step test, chair rise and 30-second push-up test) and quality of life using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), with follow-up testing 3-5 days post-intervention. Study Participants Participants were recruited through Breast Cancer Network Australia, support groups, and other breast cancer organisations. Interview recruitment aimed for thematic saturation, defined as the point at which no new themes emerge. Interviews Individual interview sessions were conducted for 30 minutes and recorded online. A structured interview guide was used to explore participants’ exercise and PA history, current engagement, and factors influencing their exercise behaviours and preferences during pregnancy, postpartum, and cancer treatment. Exercise Program Supervised online exercise sessions (1-2 sessions per week for 8 weeks) included aerobic and resistance components. Aerobic exercise progressed between 5-20 minutes at an RPE of 4-6 (Borg 1-10 scale), using movements like star jumps and stepping in place. Resistance training progressed up to 30 minutes, targeting major muscle groups, with 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions maximum (RM), at RPE 4-6 using exercises such as squats, kneeling chest press, leg extension, bent over rows, calf raises, and bicep curls with resistance bands or home weights. Sessions began with a warm-up and ended with stretching. All sessions were autoregulated and followed cancer exercise guidelines. To assess and monitor adherence, each session was marked off using and attendance checklist.
Sponsors
Edith Cowan University
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Eligible participants were women aged 18 years and older diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy or within 18 months postpartum in the past 5 years. After receiving study information, participants completed a demographic and health history questionnaire. Following the interview, those less than 27 weeks pregnant or more than 7 weeks postpartum were invited to participate in the 8-week exercise program, per guidelines. All participants completed the Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) pre-exercise screening and obtained medical clearance.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria included: acute illness, relevant medical conditions or any contraindications to exercise during pregnancy.
Outcome results
None listed