Clinically Relevant Improvements In Quality Of Life Following A Videoconference Exercise Program

PURPOSE: Exercise programs can improve quality of life (QOL) among cancer survivors, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, videoconference exercise programs have grown in popularity. It is currently unknown whether a videoconference exercise program can elicit a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in QOL among cancer survivors. This study examined the proportion of cancer survivors who achieved a MCID in QOL following an 8-week videoconference exercise program and explored differences in characteristics between those achieving vs. not achieving the MCID. METHODS: Adult cancer survivors completed the exercise program, which consisted of aerobic and resistance exercise sessions 1x/week, and group-based discussion sessions via Zoom. QOL was measured at baseline and post-program, using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), with subscales evaluating physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being. Scores range from 0-108, higher scores indicating better QOL. Established MCID’s for the FACT-G are a change in 5 points for total QOL and 2 points for subscales. Frequencies quantified proportion achieving the MCID, and differences in age, BMI, exercise baseline exercise levels, program attendance, and treatment status were compared between those who did vs did not achieve the MCID using independent t-tests and chi square tests. RESULTS: Participants (N = 52) were M = 59.1 ± 10.1 years old, 96.2% female, diagnosed with ovarian (57.7%), breast (30.8%), or other (11.5%) cancer. Most participants (61.5%) had completed treatment. For total QOL, 38.5% of participants achieved the MCID. Proportion achieving the MCID for subscales were 32.7% social, 40.4% physical, 34.6% functional, and 38.5% for emotional. Baseline exercise levels were lower among those who achieved MCID in total QOL [t (48) = -2.32, p = .025], social [t(46) = -2.52, p = .015], and functional well-being [t(49) = -2.04, p = .047]. CONCLUSION: Following an 8-week videoconference exercise program, fewer than half of participants achieved MCID in QOL. Baseline MVPA was lower in those who achieved the MCID for QOL, indicating that cancer survivors who are sedentary or insufficiently active may be more likely to attain clinically relevant QOL benefits from a videoconference exercise program.