Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Publication Date

8-1-2025

Journal

Journal of Cancer Survivorship

DOI

10.1007/s11764-024-01555-w

PMID

38472612

PMCID

PMC11956799

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-24-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Purpose: This pilot study of a diet and physical activity intervention (HEALTH4CLL) was conducted to reduce fatigue and improve physical function (PF) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods: The HEALTH4CLL study used a randomized factorial design based on the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST). Patients received diet, exercise, and body weight management instructional materials plus a Fitbit and were randomized to undergo one of 16 combinations of 4 evidence-based mHealth intervention strategies over 16 weeks. Patients' fatigue, PF, health-related quality of life, behavior changes, and program satisfaction and retention were assessed. Paired t-tests were used to examine changes in outcomes from baseline to follow-up among patients. Factorial analysis of variance examined effective intervention components and their combinations regarding improvement in fatigue and PF scores.

Results: Among 31 patients, we observed significant improvements in fatigue (+ 11.8; t = 4.08, p = 0.001) and PF (+ 2.6; t = 2.75, p = 0.01) scores. The combination of resistance and aerobic exercise with daily self-monitoring was associated with improved fatigue scores (β = 3.857, SE = 1.617, p = 0.027). Analysis of the individual components of the MOST design demonstrated greater improvement in the PF score with resistance plus aerobic exercise than with aerobic exercise alone (β = 2.257, SE = 1.071, p = 0.048).

Conclusions: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise and daily self-monitoring improved PF and reduced fatigue in patients with CLL.

Implications for cancer survivors: This pilot study supported the feasibility of a low-touch mHealth intervention for survivors of CLL and provided preliminary evidence that exercising, particularly resistance exercise, can improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Keywords

Humans, Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell, Female, Male, Telemedicine, Pilot Projects, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Aged, Fatigue, Exercise, Behavior Therapy, Cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Exercise, Physical activity, Nutrition, Skeletal muscle function

Published Open-Access

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