@Article{info:doi/10.2196/14418,
author="Ariza-Garcia, Angelica
and Lozano-Lozano, Mario
and Galiano-Castillo, Noelia
and Postigo-Martin, Paula
and Arroyo-Morales, Manuel
and Cantarero-Villanueva, Irene",
title="A Web-Based Exercise System (e-CuidateChemo) to Counter the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2019",
month="Jul",
day="24",
volume="21",
number="7",
pages="e14418",
keywords="breast cancer; chemotherapy; physical fitness; randomized control trial; telehealth; e-health; therapeutic exercise",
abstract="Background: Breast cancer patients have to face a high-risk state during chemotherapy, which involves deterioration of their health including extensive physical deterioration. Face-to-face physical exercise programs have presented low adherence rates during medical treatment, and telehealth systems could improve these adherence rates. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based exercise program (e-CuidateChemo) to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy on the physical being, anthropometric aspects, and body composition. Methods: A total of 68 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, who were undergoing chemotherapy, were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups: e-CuidateChemo (n=34) and controls (n=34). The e-CuidateChemo group participated in an adapted 8-week tailored exercise program through a Web-based system. A blinded, trained researcher assessed functional capacity, strength, anthropometric parameters, and body composition. The intervention effects were tested using analysis of covariance and Cohen d tests. Results: Functional capacity improved significantly in the e-CuidateChemo group compared to the control group (6-minute walk test: 62.07 [SD 130.09] m versus --26.34 [SD 82.21] m; 6-minute walk test {\%} distance predicted: 10.81{\%} [SD 22.69{\%}] m versus --4.60{\%} [SD 14.58{\%}]; between-group effect: P=.015 for both). The intervention group also showed significantly improved secondary outcomes such as between-group effects for abdominal (24.93 [SD 26.83] s vs --18.59 [SD 38.69] s), back (12.45 [SD 10.20] kg vs 1.39 [10.72] kg), and lower body (--2.82 [SD 3.75] s vs 1.26 [SD 2.84] s) strength; all P<.001 compared to the control group. Conclusions: This paper showed that a Web-based exercise program was effective in reversing the detriment in functional capacity and strength due to chemotherapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02350582; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02350582 ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/14418",
url="http://www.jmir.org/2019/7/e14418/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/14418",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31342907"
}