Diet, exercise interventions reduced functional decline in older, overweight cancer survivors

Older, overweight, long-term cancer survivors who received a diet and exercise intervention demonstrated significantly less functional decline than counterparts who did not receive the intervention, according to results of Reach out to Enhance Wellness — or RENEW — trial.

Eligible participants were aged 65 to 91 with a BMI >25 and ≥40 and were long-term (≥5 years) breast, colorectal or prostate cancer survivors. Researchers conducted telephone counseling and mailed print materials about diet and exercise to 319 participants in the intervention group. Interventions were delayed 12 months for the 322 participants in the control group.

Participants self-evaluated physical function using the Short Form 36 physical function subscale. The scale has a range from zero to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher level of functioning. Change in score at 12 months was the primary endpoint.

The average baseline Short Form 36 score was 75.7. Physical functioning changed by –4.84 (95% CI; –3.04 to –6.63) in the control group, which was more than twice the change that occurred in the intervention group (–2.15; 95% CI; –0.36 to –3.93).

The average lower extremity function score was 78.2 at baseline. Patients in the intervention group had little change to their average lower extremity function score (0.34; 95% CI; –0.84 to 1.52) compared with patients in the control group (–1.89; 95% CI; –0.70 to –3.09).

The mean weight loss for patients in the control group was half as much weight (0.92 kg) as reported by participants in the intervention group (2.06 kg).

Dietary behaviors, physical activity and overall quality of life also improved significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group.

Morey M. JAMA. 2009;30:1883-1891.