QOL-29. Evaluating the effectiveness of a tailored exercise intervention on neuro-oncology patient outcomes

Abstract Despite the known benefits of exercise as a supportive cancer care resource, evidence of its effectiveness in neuro-oncology is scarce and thus access to programming remains limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a tailored neuro-oncology exercise intervention on patient outcomes – the Alberta Cancer Exercise-Neuro Oncology (i.e., ACE-Neuro) study. ACE-Neuro was a multi-site type II effectiveness-implementation trial delivered in Alberta, Canada and included a 12-week tailored exercise and health coaching intervention to adult neuro-oncology patients. Measures included baseline and 12-week patient-reported outcomes and functional fitness, acute energy and fatigue assessed pre-/post-exercise sessions, and objective physical activity assessed across the intervention via a Garmin activity tracker. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed models were used to analyze the data. Across a 20-month recruitment period, n=62 participants were scheduled to begin the intervention, and n=51 completed (82.3%). Statistically significant improvements were observed for overall quality of life (p < 0.011) and the sub-domains of functional well-being (p < 0.018) and brain-specific concerns (p < 0.001). Resistance exercise levels (p < 0.005), balance (p < 0.009 right side and p < 0.002 left side), and aerobic fitness (p < 0.001) also significantly improved. General fatigue worsened from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.048). Acute energy significantly worsened after each exercise session (p = 0.001) but significantly improved from baseline to 12-weeks (p < 0.001), while acute fatigue significantly improved across the intervention (p < 0.001). Objective physical activity during the intervention averaged 86.6 ± 57.51 minutes per day. ACE-Neuro was associated with improved patient-reported, functional fitness, and objective physical activity outcomes, contributing to the limited literature on exercise interventions in neuro-oncology. Ongoing work is needed to continue to tailor and deliver effective exercise interventions that meet the unique needs of this patient population.