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The aim of this study was to evaluate an individually tailored smoking-cessation intervention delivered in rheumatology care and compare the characteristics of patients who quit smoking with those who did not. This was an open single-group prospective intervention study over 24 months, with assessments at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Current smokers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were invited to a smoking-cessation programme including behavioural change support, with or without pharmacotherapy. Data on disease activity, medical treatment, and patient-reported outcomes were retrieved from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients at month 24 who reported having quit smoking with self-reported 7 day smoking abstinence. In total, 99 patients participated in the study. Median age was 58 years (interquartile range 50–64); 69% were female and 88% rheumatoid factor and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide positive. At 24 months, 21% of the patients had quit smoking. At 6, 12, and 18 months, 12%, 12%, and 14% of patients, respectively, had quit smoking. For patients still smoking at 24 months, the median number of cigarettes per day was significantly reduced from 12 to 6 (p ≤ 0.001). Among patients who had quit smoking at 24 months, a smaller proportion reported anxiety at baseline compared to those still smoking (28% vs 58%, p = 0.02). A smoking-cessation intervention including behavioural change support with or without pharmacotherapy can be helpful for a substantial number of RA patients. Anxiety is associated with lower smoking-cessation success rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity and explore how these beliefs correlate with sociodemographic, disease-specific, and psychosocial factors in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Method: This cross-sectional study is part of the Physical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PARA) 2010 study. The study participants (n = 2351) were identified through the Swedish Rheumatology Quality (SRQ) registries from six rheumatology clinics in Sweden. Univariate and backwards stepwise logistic regressions were performed.Results: Stepwise logistic regressions showed that male gender [odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-1.91] and having a below average income (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.12-1.63) were associated with an increased risk of high scores on the modified Fear Avoidance-Belief Questionnaire (mFABQ). The two disease-specific factors most indicative of high mFABQ scores were high level of pain (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.40-2.84) and poor health (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.10-2.29). With regard to psychosocial factors, low health-related quality of life (HRQoL; OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.35-0.55) and a low score on the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES; OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.82) were significantly associated with a high mFABQ score. The model fit was 0.27 (Nagelkerke's R(2)).Conclusions: High fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity in patients with RA were found to be associated with being male and having a below average income, a high level of pain, poor health, a low HRQoL, and low ESES score. Additional research is warranted for adults with RA to capture the multiple potential correlates to fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundLong-term adherence to physical activity recommendations remains challenging for most individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite evidence for its health benefits. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to provide basic data on system requirement specifications for a Web-based and mobile app to self-manage physical activity. More specifically, we explored the target user group, features of the future app, and correlations between the system requirements and the established behavior change techniques (BCTs). MethodsWe used a participatory action research design. Qualitative data were collected using multiple methods in four workshops. Participants were 5 individuals with RA, a clinical physiotherapist, an officer from the Swedish Rheumatism Association, a Web designer, and 2 physiotherapy researchers. A taxonomy was used to determine the degree of correlation between the system requirements and established BCTs. ResultsParticipants agreed that the future Web-based and mobile app should be based on two major components important for maintaining physical activity: (1) a calendar feature for goal setting, planning, and recording of physical activity performance and progress, and (2) a small community feature for positive feedback and support from peers. All system requirements correlated with established BCTs, which were coded as 24 different BCTs. ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to involve individuals with RA as co-designers, in collaboration with clinicians, researchers, and Web designers, to produce basic data to generate system requirement specifications for an eHealth service. The system requirements correlated to the BCTs, making specifications of content and future evaluation of effectiveness possible.

To investigate the effects of heavy-load strength training during (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer on muscle strength, body composition, muscle fiber size, satellite cells, and myonuclei. Women with stage I-III breast cancer were randomly assigned to a strength training group (ST, n = 23) performing supervised heavy-load strength training twice a week during chemotherapy, or a usual care control group (CON, n = 17). Muscle strength and body composition were measured and biopsies from m. vastus lateralis collected before the first cycle of chemotherapy (T0) and after chemotherapy and training (T1). Muscle strength increased significantly more in ST than in CON in chest-press (ST: +10 ± 8%, p < .001, CON: -3 ± 5%, p = .023) and leg-press (ST: +11 ± 8%, p < .001, CON: +3 ± 6%, p = .137). Both groups reduced fat-free mass (ST: -4.9 ± 4.0%, p < .001, CON: -5.2 ± 4.9%, p = .004), and increased fat mass (ST: +15.3 ± 16.5%, p < .001, CON: +16.3 ± 19.8%, p = .015) with no significant differences between groups. No significant changes from T0 to T1 and no significant differences between groups were observed in muscle fiber size. For myonuclei per fiber a non-statistically significant increase in CON and a non-statistically significant decrease in ST in type I fibers tended (p = .053) to be different between groups. Satellite cells tended to decrease in ST (type I: -14 ± 36%, p = .097, type II: -9 ± 55%, p = .084), with no changes in CON and no differences between groups. Strength training during chemotherapy improved muscle strength but did not significantly affect body composition, muscle fiber size, numbers of satellite cells, and myonuclei compared to usual care., (© 2024 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)

Introduction: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors has increased in recent years; however, participants dropping out of the trials are rarely described. The objective of the present study was to assess which combinations of participant and exercise program characteristics were associated with dropout from the exercise arms of RCTs among cancer survivors., Methods: This study used data collected in the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) study, an international database of RCTs investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors. Thirty-four exercise trials, with a total of 2467 patients without metastatic disease randomized to an exercise arm were included. Harmonized studies included a pre and a posttest, and participants were classified as dropouts when missing all assessments at the post-intervention test. Subgroups were identified with a conditional inference tree., Results: Overall, 9.6% of the participants dropped out. Five subgroups were identified in the conditional inference tree based on four significant associations with dropout. Most dropout was observed for participants with BMI >28.4 kg/m 2 , performing supervised resistance or unsupervised mixed exercise (19.8% dropout) or had low-medium education and performed aerobic or supervised mixed exercise (13.5%). The lowest dropout was found for participants with BMI >28.4 kg/m 2 and high education performing aerobic or supervised mixed exercise (5.1%), and participants with BMI ≤28.4 kg/m 2 exercising during (5.2%) or post (9.5%) treatment., Conclusions: There are several systematic differences between cancer survivors completing and dropping out from exercise trials, possibly affecting the external validity of exercise effects., (© 2024 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Physical activity (PA) monitoring is applied in a growing number of studies within cancer research. However, no consensus exists on how many days PA should be monitored to obtain reliable estimates in the cancer population. The objective of the present study was to determine the minimum number of monitoring days required for reliable estimates of different PA intensities in cancer survivors when using a six-days protocol. Furthermore, reliability of monitoring days was assessed stratified on sex, age, cancer type, weight status, and educational level., Methods: Data was obtained from two studies where PA was monitored for seven days using the SenseWear Armband Mini in a total of 984 cancer survivors diagnosed with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. Participants with ≥22 hours monitor wear-time for six days were included in the reliability analysis (n = 736). The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Spearman Brown prophecy formula were used to assess the reliability of different number of monitoring days., Results: For time in light PA, two monitoring days resulted in reliable estimates (ICC >0.80). Participants with BMI ≥25, low-medium education, colorectal cancer, or age ≥60 years required one additional monitoring day. For moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA, three monitoring days yielded reliable estimates. Participants with BMI ≥25 or breast cancer required one additional monitoring day. Vigorous PA showed the largest within subject variations and reliable estimates were not obtained for the sample as a whole. However, reliable estimates were obtained for breast cancer survivors (4 days), females, BMI ≥30, and age <60 years (6 days)., Conclusion: Shorter monitoring periods may provide reliable estimates of PA levels in cancer survivors when monitored continuously with a wearable device. This could potentially lower the participant burden and allow for less exclusion of participants not adhering to longer protocols., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Western et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Cost-effectiveness is important in the prioritisation between interventions in health care. Exercise is cost-effective compared to usual care during oncological treatment; however, the significance of exercise intensity to the cost-effectiveness is unclear. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of the randomised controlled trial Phys-Can, a six-month exercise programme of high (HI) or low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) during (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment., Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed, based on 189 participants with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer (HI: n  = 99 and LMI: n  = 90) from the Phys-Can RCT in Sweden. Costs were estimated from a societal perspective, and included cost of the exercise intervention, health care utilisation and productivity loss. Health outcomes were assessed as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), using EQ-5D-5L at baseline, post intervention and 12 months after the completion of the intervention., Results: At 12-month follow-up after the intervention, the total cost per participant did not differ significantly between HI (€27,314) and LMI exercise (€29,788). There was no significant difference in health outcome between the intensity groups. On average HI generated 1.190 QALYs and LMI 1.185 QALYs. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio indicated that HI was cost effective compared with LMI, but the uncertainty was large., Conclusions: We conclude that HI and LMI exercise have similar costs and effects during oncological treatment. Hence, based on cost-effectiveness, we suggest that decision makers and clinicians can consider implementing both HI and LMI exercise programmes and recommend either intensity to the patients with cancer during oncological treatment to facilitate improvement of health.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effects of reallocating sedentary time to an equal amount of light (LPA) or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) on cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with breast cancer. We also aimed to determine the daily amount of sedentary time needed to be reallocated to LPA or MVPA to produce minimal clinically important changes in these outcomes., Methods: Pooled baseline data from three studies were used, including women with breast cancer who participated in the Phys-Can project. Fatigue was assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory questionnaire (MFI; five dimensions, 4-20 scale) and HRQoL with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30; 0-100 scale). Sedentary time and physical activity were measured with accelerometry. Isotemporal substitution modelling was used for the analyses., Results: Overall, 436 participants (mean age 56 years, fatigue 11 [MFI], HRQoL 66 [EORTC QLQ-C30], LPA 254 min/day, MVPA 71 min/day) were included. Fatigue significantly decreased in two MFI dimensions when reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time to LPA: reduced motivation and reduced activity (β =  - 0.21). Fatigue significantly decreased in three MFI dimensions when reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time to MVPA: general fatigue (β =  - 0.34), physical fatigue (β =  - 0.47) and reduced activity (β =  - 0.48). To produce minimal clinically important changes in fatigue (- 2 points on MFI), the amount of sedentary time needed to be reallocated to LPA was ≈290 min/day and to MVPA was ≥ 125 min/day. No significant effects were observed on HRQoL when reallocating sedentary time to LPA or MVPA., Conclusions: Our results suggest that reallocating sedentary time to LPA or MVPA has beneficial effects on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer, with MVPA having the greatest impact. In relatively healthy and physically active breast cancer populations, a large amount of time reallocation is needed to produce clinically important changes. Future studies are warranted to evaluate such effects in broader cancer populations., Trial Registration: NCT02473003 (10/10/2014) and NCT04586517 (14/10/2020)., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Sustainable and effective eHealth requires accessibility for everyone. Little is known about how accessibility of eHealth is perceived among people with various impairments. The aim of this study was to compare use and perceived difficulty in the use of eHealth among people with and without impairment, and how different types of impairment were associated with perceived difficulty in the use of eHealth., Methods: This study used data collected in a nationwide survey in Sweden. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants with self-reported impairment, from June to October 2019. In February 2020, the survey was posted to people in the general population who were matched to the participants with impairment by age, gender and county of residence. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the use of four eHealth services, and perceived difficulty in the use of six eHealth services., Results: In total, 1631 participants with, and 1084 participants without impairment responded to the survey. Participants with impairment reported less use and more difficulty in the use of all eHealth services as compared to participants without impairment. When comparing types of impairment, booking healthcare appointments online was least used and most avoided by participants with communication, language and calculation impairments (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) use 0.64, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.49-0.83; aOR avoid 1.64, 95%CI 1.19-2.27), and intellectual impairments (aOR use 0.28, 95%CI 0.20-0.39; aOR avoid 2.88, 95%CI 1.86-4.45). The Swedish national web-portal for health information and services, 1177.se, was reported difficult to use the most among participants with communication, language and calculation impairments (aOR 2.24, 95%CI 1.50-3.36), deaf-blindness (aOR 11.24, 95%CI 3.49-36.23) and hearing impairment (aOR 2.50, 95%CI 1.17-5.35)., Conclusions: The results confirm the existence of an eHealth disability digital divide. People with impairment were not one homogeneous group, but differed in perceived difficulties in regard to eHealth. Based on a purposeful subgrouping of impairments, we showed that people with communication, language and calculation impairments, and intellectual impairments, reported least use and most difficulty in using eHealth. The findings can guide further research in creating eHealth that is accessible for all, including those with the most significant difficulties., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Resistance exercise has a beneficial impact on physical function for patients receiving oncological treatment. However, there is an inter-individual variation in the response to exercise and the tolerability to high-intensity exercise. Identifying potential moderating factors, such as inflammation and treatment type, for changes in muscle strength is important to improve the effectiveness of exercise programs. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if inflammation and type of oncological treatment moderate the effects of exercise intensity (high vs. low-moderate) on muscular strength changes in patients with breast (BRCA) or prostate cancer (PRCA)., Methods: Participants with BRCA (n = 286) and PRCA (n = 65) from the Physical training and Cancer study (Phys-Can) were included in the present study. Participants performed a combined resistance- and endurance exercise program during six months, at either high or low-moderate intensity. Separate regression models were estimated for each cancer type, with and without interaction terms. Moderators included in the models were treatment type (i.e., neo/adjuvant chemotherapy-yes/no for BRCA, adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)-yes/no for PRCA)), and inflammation (interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)) at follow-up., Results: For BRCA, neither IL6 (b = 2.469, 95% CI [- 7.614, 12.552]) nor TNFα (b = 0.036, 95% CI [- 6.345, 6.418]) levels moderated the effect of exercise intensity on muscle strength change. The same was observed for chemotherapy treatment (b = 4.893, 95% CI [- 2.938, 12.724]). Similarly, for PRCA, the effect of exercise intensity on muscle strength change was not moderated by IL6 (b = - 1.423, 95% CI [- 17.894, 15.048]) and TNFα (b = - 1.905, 95% CI [- 8.542, 4.732]) levels, nor by ADT (b = - 0.180, 95% CI [- 11.201, 10.841])., Conclusions: The effect of exercise intensity on muscle strength is not moderated by TNFα, IL6, neo/adjuvant chemotherapy, or ADT, and therefore cannot explain any intra-variation of training response regarding exercise intensity (e.g., strength gain) for BRCA or PRCA in this setting., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02473003., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Chemotherapy efficacy is largely dependent on treatment adherence, defined by the relative dose intensity (RDI). Identification of new modifiable risk factors associated with low RDI might improve chemotherapy delivery. Here, we evaluated the association between low RDI and pre-chemotherapy factors, including patient- and treatment-related characteristics and markers of inflammation., Methods: This exploratory analysis assessed data from 267 patients with early-stage breast cancer scheduled to undergo (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy included in the Physical training and Cancer (Phys-Can) trial. The association between low RDI, defined as < 85%, patient-related (age, body mass index, co-morbid condition, body surface area) and treatment-related factors (cancer stage, receptor status, chemotherapy duration, chemotherapy dose, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) was investigated. Analyses further included the association between RDI and pre-chemotherapy levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in 172 patients with available blood samples., Results: An RDI of < 85% occurred in 31 patients (12%). Univariable analysis revealed a significant association with a chemotherapy duration above 20 weeks (p < 0.001), chemotherapy dose (p = 0.006), pre-chemotherapy IL-8 (OR 1.61; 95% CI (1.01; 2.58); p = 0.040) and TNF-α (OR 2.2 (1.17; 4.53); p = 0.019). In multivariable analyses, inflammatory cytokines were significant association with low RDI for IL-8 (OR: 1.65 [0.99; 2.69]; p = 0.044) and TNF-α (OR 2.95 [1.41; 7.19]; p = 0.007)., Conclusions: This exploratory analysis highlights the association of pre-chemotherapy IL-8 and TNF-α with low RDI of chemotherapy for breast cancer. IL-8 and TNF-α may therefore potentially help to identify patients at risk for experiencing dose reductions. Clinical trial number NCT02473003 (registration: June 16, 2015)., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.)

Purpose: While moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is associated with various health improvements shortly after completion of exercise interventions, it remains unclear which health benefits can be expected when MVPA levels are maintained in the long term in cancer survivors. We aimed to assess the associations of (1) MVPA level at 12-month follow-up and (2) long-term MVPA patterns (from immediately post-intervention to 12-month follow-up) with different cancer-related health outcomes., Methods: In the Physical training and Cancer (Phys-Can) RCT, 577 participants diagnosed with breast (78%), prostate (19%), or colorectal (3%) cancer were randomized to 6 months of exercise during curative cancer treatment. Accelerometer-assessed physical activity and outcome data (ie, cancer-related fatigue, health-related quality of life [HRQoL], anxiety and depression, functioning in daily life, cardiorespiratory fitness, sedentary time and sleep) were collected immediately post-intervention and at 12-month follow-up. Based on the sample's median of MVPA immediately post-intervention (65 minutes/day) and the changes between the 2 measurement points, 4 categories with different long-term MVPA patterns were created: High & Increasing, High & Decreasing, Low & Increasing, and Low & Decreasing. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for the analyses., Results: A total of 353 participants were included in the analyses. At 12-month follow-up, a higher MVPA level was significantly associated with lower fatigue in 3 domains (general fatigue [β = -.33], physical fatigue [β = -.53] and reduced activity [β = -.37]), higher cardiorespiratory fitness (β = .34) and less sedentary time (β = -.35). For long-term MVPA patterns, compared to the participants in the "Low & Decreasing" category, those in the "High & Increasing" category reported significantly lower fatigue in 3 domains (general fatigue [β = -1.77], physical fatigue [β = -3.36] and reduced activity [β = -1.58]), higher HRQoL (β = 6.84) and had less sedentary time (β = -1.23)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that long-term physical activity is essential for improving health outcomes post-intervention in cancer survivors. Cancer survivors, including those who reach recommended MVPA levels, should be encouraged to maintain or increase MVPA post-intervention for additional health benefits., Trial Registration: NCT02473003 (10/10/2014).

Background: (Neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer is effective but has deleterious side effects on muscle tissue, resulting in reduced skeletal muscle mass, muscle function, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Various exercise regimens during cancer treatment have been shown to counteract some of these side effects. However, no study has compared the effect of high-intensity training versus low-to-moderate intensity training on muscle tissue cellular outcomes and physical function in patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy., Objective: The aim of this substudy within the Physical Training in Cancer (Phys-Can) consortium is to evaluate and compare the effects of high and low-to-moderate intensity exercise on muscle cellular outcomes, muscle function, and cardiorespiratory fitness in women with breast cancer undergoing (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. We further aim to investigate if the effects of chemotherapy including taxanes on muscles will be different from those of taxane-free chemotherapy., Methods: Eighty women recently diagnosed with breast cancer scheduled to start (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy will be randomized to a combination of strength and endurance training, either at high intensity or at low-to-moderate intensity. Testing of muscle function and cardiorespiratory fitness and collection of muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle will be performed before the first cycle of chemotherapy (or after 1 week, when not possible) (T0), halfway through chemotherapy (T1), and after completion of chemotherapy (T2). It is estimated that approximately 50% of the participants will be willing to undergo muscle biopsies. To separate the effect of the treatment itself, a usual care group with no supervised training will also be included, and in this group, testing and collection of muscle biopsies will be performed at T0 and T2 only., Results: This study is funded by Active Against Cancer (Aktiv mot kreft) (May 2013) and the Norwegian Cancer Society (December 2018). Inclusion started in December 2016 and the last participant is expected to be recruited in December 2022. As of June 2022, we enrolled 38 (19 with biopsies) participants to the high-intensity training group, 36 (19 with biopsies) participants to the low-to-moderate intensity training group, and 17 (16 with biopsies) participants to the usual care group. Data analyses will start in fall 2022. The first results are expected to be published in spring 2024., Conclusions: This study will generate new knowledge about the effects of different training intensities for women with breast cancer during chemotherapy treatment. It will give further insight into how chemotherapy affects the muscle tissue and how physical training at different intensities may counteract the treatment side effects in muscles. The results of this study will inform the development and refinement of exercise programs that are effective and compatible with the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05218876; https://tinyurl.com/ysaj9dhm., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/40811., (©Olav Vikmoen, Tor Helge Wiestad, Inger Thormodsen, Karin Nordin, Sveinung Berntsen, Ingrid Demmelmaier, Emelie Strandberg, Truls Raastad. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 11.11.2022.)

Background: Knowledge regarding adherence is necessary to improve the specificity of exercise interventions during cancer treatment. We aimed to determine adherence to resistance and endurance training interventions in parallel; identify subgroups with similar adherence characteristics; and examine determinants of these subgroups., Methods: In the Phys-Can randomised controlled trial, participants (n = 577, 81% women, mean(SD) age 59(12) years, and 50% with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ) starting (neo-) adjuvant treatment for breast, colorectal or prostate cancer were randomized to 6-month of high (HI) or low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) supervised, group-based resistance training and individual home-based endurance training, with or without behavior change support. Adherence was calculated as performed exercise volume as a proportion of prescribed exercise volume (0-100%), overall (HI and LMI groups) and for frequency, intensity, type and time (FITT principles) (HI group). Adherence to resistance training was plotted against adherence to endurance training overall and for each FITT principle. K-means cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups with similar adherence characteristics. Potential determinants of subgroup membership were examined using multinomial logistic regression., Results: We found a positive curvilinear correlation between adherence to resistance and endurance training overall. A similar correlation was seen for adherence to frequency of resistance vs. endurance training in the HI group. In the HI group, adherence to resistance training intensity and time was > 80% for almost all participants. For endurance training adherence ranged from 0 to 100% for each of the FITT principles. Three clusters were identified, representing low, mixed, and high adherence to resistance and endurance training overall. Participants with higher age (Relative risk ratio [95% CI]; LMI: 0.86[0.77-0.96], HI: 0.83[0.74-0.93]), no behaviour change support (LMI: 0.11[0.02-0.56], HI: 0.20[0.05-0.85]), higher cardiorespiratory fitness (LMI: 0.81[0.69-0.94], HI: 0.80[0.69-0.92]), more fatigue (according to the reduced activity subscale of the MFI questionnaire) (LMI: 0.48[0.31-0.73], HI: 0.69[0.52-0.93]) or higher quality of life (LMI: 0.95[0.90-1.00], HI: 0.93[0.88-0.98]) were less likely to be in the low than the high adherence cluster whether randomised to LMI or HI training. Other determinants were specific to those randomised to LMI or HI training., Conclusions: In an exercise intervention during cancer treatment, adherence to resistance and endurance training were positively correlated. Personalisation of interventions and additional support for some subgroups of participants may improve adherence. Trial registration NCT02473003 (clinicaltrials.gov, Registered 16/06/2015)., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The results from the physical training and cancer randomized controlled trial (Phys-Can RCT) indicate that high intensity (HI) strength and endurance training during (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment is more beneficial for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, measured as peak oxygen uptake [VO 2 peak]) than low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise. Adherence to the exercise intervention and demographic or clinical characteristics of patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant treatment may moderate the exercise intervention effect on VO 2 peak. In this study, the objective was to investigate whether baseline values of VO 2 peak, body mass index (BMI), time spent in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), physical fatigue, age, chemotherapy treatment, and the adherence to the endurance training moderated the effect of HI vs. LMI exercise on VO 2 peak., Materials and Methods: We used data collected from a subsample from the Phys-Can RCT; women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and had a valid baseline and post-intervention VO 2 peak test were included ( n = 255). The exercise interventions from the RCT included strength and endurance training at either LMI, which was continuous endurance training at 40-50% of heart rate reserve (HRR), or at HI, which was interval training at 80-90% of HRR, with similar exercise volume in the two groups. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate moderating effects using a significance level of p < 0.10. Statistically significant interactions were examined further using the Johnson-Neyman (J-N) technique and regions of significance (for continuous variables) or box plots with adjusted means of post-intervention VO 2 peak (for binary variables)., Results: Age, as a continuous variable, and adherence, dichotomized into < or > 58% based on median, moderated the effect of HI vs. LMI on CRF ( B = -0.08, 95% CI [-0.16, 0.01], p interaction = 0.06, and B = 1.63, 95% CI [-0.12, 3.38], p interaction = 0.07, respectively). The J-N technique and regions of significance indicated that the intervention effect (HI vs. LMI) was positive and statistically significant in participants aged 61 years or older. Baseline measurement of CRF, MVPA, BMI, physical fatigue, and chemotherapy treatment did not significantly moderate the intervention effect on CRF., Conclusion: Women with breast cancer who are older and who have higher adherence to the exercise regimen may have larger effects of HI exercise during (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment on CRF., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Bjørke, Buffart, Raastad, Demmelmaier, Stenling, Nordin and Berntsen.)

Background: Exercise during oncological treatment is beneficial to patient health and can counteract the side effects of treatment. Knowledge of the societal costs associated with an exercise intervention, however, is limited. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the long-term resource utilisation and societal costs of an exercise intervention conducted during (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment in a randomised control trial (RCT) versus usual care (UC), and to compare high-intensity (HI) versus low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise in the RCT., Methods: We used data from the Physical Training and Cancer (Phys-Can) project. In the RCT, 577 participants were randomised to HI or to LMI of combined endurance and resistance training for 6 months, during oncological treatment. The project also included 89 participants with UC in a longitudinal observational study. We measured at baseline and after 18 months. Resource utilisation and costs of the exercise intervention, health care, and productivity loss were compared using analyses of covariance (RCT vs. UC) and t test (HI vs. LMI)., Results: Complete data were available for 619 participants (RCT HI: n  = 269, LMI: n  = 265, and UC: n  = 85). We found no difference in total societal costs between the exercise intervention groups in the RCT and UC. However, participants in the RCT had lower rates of disability pension days ( p < .001), corresponding costs ( p = .001), and pharmacy costs ( p = .018) than the UC group. Nor did we find differences in resource utilisation or costs between HI and LMI exercise int the RCT., Conclusion: Our study showed no difference in total societal costs between the comprehensive exercise intervention and UC or between the exercise intensities. This suggests that exercise, with its well-documented health benefits during oncological treatment, produces neither additional costs nor savings.

We aimed to provide an overview of how work environment and occupational health are affected, and describe interventions designed to improve the work environment during epidemics and pandemics. The guidelines on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were followed. The databases Cinahl, Medline, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were searched for population: working population; exposure: coronavirus epidemic or pandemic; and outcome: work environment, in articles published until October 2020. Quality assessment was based on a modified version of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). After deduplication 3711 articles remained, of which 530 were selected for full-text screening and 119 for quality assessment. After the exclusion of studies that were low quality, 95 remained, of which 85 focused on healthcare personnel and 10 on employees in other industries; 73 used quantitative methods and 22 used qualitative or mixed methods; the majority were based on cross-sectional data. Healthcare staff experienced increased job demands, poor leadership, and lack of resources (personal protective equipment, personnel, and competence). High demands and work with infected patients were associated with negative mental health outcomes. There was a lack of studies assessing interventions, studies from industries other than healthcare, and studies of high quality.

Purpose: Exercise during chemotherapy has beneficial long-term effects on women with breast cancer, but short-term beneficial changes have been less investigated. Though short-term changes may be important as a encouraging factor, this study aimed to investigate immediate changes in self-reported energy, stress, nausea and pain following a single exercise session during chemotherapy., Methods: Forty-six women who were exercising while undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer were included between October 2016 and April 2018. Self-reported energy and stress were assessed before, immediately after and 3 h after exercise sessions by the Stress-Energy Questionnaire. On the same questionnaire nausea and pain were assessed by a Visual Analog Scale. The measurements were completed at four time points during cycles 2 and 5 of the 6-cycle chemotherapy course., Results: Energy level increased immediately after a single exercise session for three out of four periods during the chemotherapy course (p < 0.01), with a larger increase when energy was lower before the session (p < 0.01). Three hours after the exercise session, the energy was about the same level as before the exercise session. Stress decreased immediately after the session during cycle two (p < 0.01) but not cycle five. There were no changes in nausea or pain., Conclusions: Patients undergoing chemotherapy should be informed not only about the long-term advantages of exercise, but also immediate benefits in terms of increased energy. The energy increase both while exercise in the beginning and toward the end of the chemotherapy course, this short-term advantageous consequence may strengthen patients' motivation to exercise. Clinicians should also inform patients that exercise does not seem to worsen nausea and pain., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background : Self-efficacy can affect a child's ability to perform important activities, infuse him/her with a sense of control and is likely an integral target for successful treatment in pediatric pain rehabilitation. Modern physical therapy treatment includes behavioral aspects and valid measures of self-efficacy are important for both research and clinical practice. In this study, the aim was to develop and perform preliminary testing of a self-efficacy scale for children and adolescents with pain. Methods : Children and adolescents participated, along with researchers and healthcare staff, in developing the Self-Efficacy in Daily Activities (SEDA) measure. A total of 109 children and adolescents seeking physical therapy treatment for pain lasting longer than 3 months responded to the SEDA. Pain and pain-related disability were assessed using the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI). Exploratory analyzes for testing validity and reliability - principal component analyses (PCA), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and bivariate correlations - were performed. Results : The PCA revealed a 16-item SEDA and a three-component scale. The components represented self-efficacy for physical activities, self-efficacy for personal care and self-efficacy for daily exertion. Validity correlation analyses showed moderate association between SEDA and FDI, -0.72 ( p < .01), and low correlation with pain intensity, -0.29 ( p = .03). Conclusions : The 16-item SEDA has satisfactory psychometric properties in children moderately affected by long-term pain. Further validation of the SEDA in other populations and confirmatory analyses are warranted.