A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary and physical activity intervention on prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy

Abstract

The utilisation of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer patients is associated with a number of adverse side effects. These include; changes in body composition; an increase in fat mass and a decrease in muscle mass, increased fatigue and a reduced Quality Of Life (QOL)(1). To date no study has evaluated the effect of a dietary and physical activity intervention on reducing these side effects. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a 6-month diet and physical activity intervention on reducing the side effects associated with ADT. Patients were recruited from the cancer centre at Belfast City Hospital and randomly assigned to either an intervention arm receiving individualised dietary and physical activity advice (n = 47) or a standard care control arm (n = 47). In order to test the efficacy of the trial, a number of assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. These included assessment of dietary intake using 7-day diet histories and measurements of weight, height, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and fat mass. In addition fatigue, quality of life and stress scores were assessed at each time point.