Physical Activity in Men Newly Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Physical Activity in Men Newly Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Recent research has indicated that physical activities incorporating moderate-intensity exercise can be safely performed during treatment and substantially reduces treatment-related side effects, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and nausea. However, little is known about physical activity levels prior to treatment and whether providing an exercise intervention pre-treatment may improve functional capacity during treatment.

The purpose of this study is to

1. Measure physical activity levels and functional capacity in men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer prior to treatment and

2. Explore whether a 2-week physical activity intervention is feasible during the pre-treatment timeframe:

   1. Examine intervention safety and tolerance by self-report
   2. Examine changes in functional capacity by 6-minute walk test
   3. Examine changes in symptom experience by self-report

Inclusion Criteria:

• Newly diagnosed with prostate cancer
• will not start treatment for at least 2 weeks
• able to read and understand English
• capable of giving informed consent
• at least 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients who are incompetent for interview (documented diagnosis of active psychosis or dementia)
• unable to provide informed consent as assessed by the interviewer
• too sick to participate, as judged by a member of the research team or the exercise physiologist
• have been treated for another cancer