Results of the E-intervention for Protein Intake and Resistance Training to Optimize Function (E-PROOF) study among older cancer survivors

INTRODUCTION: Many older adults with a history of cancer do not meet diet or exercise recommendations, leading to suboptimal physical function. The E-PROOF study is the first synchronous, online, protein-focused dietary and resistance training randomized controlled trial among older cancer survivors. This study determined the feasibility, acceptability, and exploratory intervention effects (improving physical function, diet quality, and exercise) over the 12-week intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligibility criteria included adults age ≥ 65 years, with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, and completion of treatment with curative intent. Intervention participants received personalized nutrition counseling sessions and supervised resistance training sessions focused on increased protein intake and resistance training, respectively. Attentional control participants received counseling on stretching and general healthy eating. RESULTS: The participants (n = 75) were a median of 70 years old, 71% female, 82% non-Hispanic White, 73% breast cancer survivors, and they had a median of 8.97 years since primary cancer diagnosis. The program had an 83% retention rate (62/75 participants) and > 87% adherence rate for diet and exercise sessions. Participants reported high acceptability of the pilot intervention. Adjusted and unadjusted for age, race, sex, and cancer type, means for physical function significantly improved from baseline to the end-of-intervention in both groups (+0.5 change in the intervention arm and + 0.7 change in the attentional control arm for both models), but the change was not significantly different (p = 0.69). DISCUSSION: Findings from the E-PROOF study demonstrate its feasibility and acceptability among older post-treatment cancer survivors. This pilot study supports independent healthy behaviors, which can improve health outcomes and provide foundational knowledge to further address the growing population of older cancer survivors on a wider scale through online platforms.