This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of a walking exercise program on management of fatigue during treatment of cancer. The study is a randomized, controlled clinical trial design, stratified by type of medical treatment: radiotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, or combined modalities. The sample will be newly diagnosed Stage 0-III cancer patients who are beginning primary radiotherapy or adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy or combinations of both. Following random assignment, subjects in the exercise group will be prescribed an individualized, self-paced, home-based walking exercise program that they will maintain throughout their cancer treatment. They will receive phone calls every 2 weeks to encourage and adjust their walking program. Subjects in the control group will receive supportive phone calls every two weeks during cancer treatment (no prescribed walking program), and be advised to maintain their normal activity level. Dependent variables will be measured at pretest (baseline before treatment) and at post test (end of radiotherapy or chemotherapy). In addition, symptoms will be assessed at the mid-point of radiation or chemotherapy. Groups will be compared by multivariate analysis of variance or covariance and repeated measures analysis of variance or covariance (for the variables tested at several points during the treatment). The independent variable is participation in a walking exercise program. The primary dependent variable is fatigue level; additional variables are physical functioning, emotional distress, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, and quality of life.
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