Treated stage 2 and 3 colorectal cancer patients were counseled to exercise at least to the equivalent of 18 metabolic hours per week and were assessed over 6 months.

motivational counseling to exercise a minimum 18 metabolic hours per week

One MET is the energy expenditure for sitting quietly for 1 hour. MET scores for walking were assigned based on the pace and duration reported. For other activities, a leisurely to moderate intensity score was selected. The scores for MET-hours per week for each activity were calculated from the reported hours per week engaged in that activity multiplied by the assigned MET score, and individual activities were summed to derive a total MET-hours per week.

Patients with stage II or III colon or rectal cancer were accrued by physician screening at a visit three to four months following surgical resection. At the time of initial subject study enrollment, and at each follow-up visit, the physician or nurse administering the questionnaire was to review the benefit of adjuvant exercise and encourage patients to continue or increase their weekly activity in order to maintain at least 18 MET/week.

One MET is the energy expenditure for sitting quietly for 1 hour. MET scores for walking were assigned based on the pace and duration reported. For other activities, a leisurely to moderate intensity score was selected. The scores for MET-hours per week for each activity were calculated from the reported hours per week engaged in that activity multiplied by the assigned MET score, and individual activities were summed to derive a total MET-hours per week.

34 of the 50 enrolled subjects had at least 6 months of follow-up. There was no evaluable data for the remaining 16 subjects.

Patients with stage II or III colon or rectal cancer were accrued by physician screening at a visit three to four months following surgical resection. At the time of initial subject study enrollment, and at each follow-up visit, the physician or nurse administering the questionnaire was to review the benefit of adjuvant exercise and encourage patients to continue or increase their weekly activity in order to maintain at least 18 MET/week.