Effectiveness of a Home-Based and Group-Based Tele-Exercise Program for Breast Cancer Survivors: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women globally. Adjuvant therapies can cause adverse effects that compromise physical and mental health. Exercise may mitigate these effects; however, many breast cancer survivors remain insufficiently active.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study aimed to test the effectiveness of a 7-week theory-informed tele-exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong.

METHODS

We developed a 12-week theory-informed tele-exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong; this pilot tested a 7-week abbreviated version. In this 2-group randomized controlled pilot trial, 34 individuals were assessed for eligibility, and 27 were randomized; 24 completed baseline and were included in the modified intention-to-treat analyses (12 per group). The intervention comprised a progressively supervised group-based tele-exercise intervention transitioning to unsupervised sessions, combined with psychological counseling. Outcomes were guided by the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework, with emphasis on feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects.

RESULTS

Recruitment was 79.4% (27/34) and baseline-to-post retention was 100% (24/24), with satisfactory attendance (87.7%) and compliance (85.3%) in the intervention group. Acceptability was high. Preliminary signals of improvement were observed in cardiorespiratory fitness (primary outcome), lower-extremity strength, balance, affected-side shoulder range of motion, and health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot supports the feasibility and acceptability of tele-exercise for breast cancer rehabilitation and provides preliminary evidence to justify a larger trial with longer follow-up to assess sustained effects and broader applicability.