biostudies-literatureTan SYCUniversity of SydneyNational Health Medical Research CouncilNational Breast Cancer FoundationProfessor Martin Tattersall Early Career Researcher Award Schemepkaf122https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12909259biostudies-literatureUnknown10(1)<h4>Background</h4>Weight gain and physical inactivity during chemotherapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer are common. We sought to investigate the feasibility of a virtual lifestyle (exercise and diet) intervention for breast cancer survivors during chemotherapy.<h4>Methods</h4>This single-arm phase 2 trial delivered 12 weekly 1-hour telehealth sessions of supervised exercise and diet education to breast cancer survivors (patients with stage I-III disease) starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Screening, recruitment, intervention, and study assessments completed at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 3 months after the intervention (T2) were conducted by telehealth in 2022-2023. The primary outcome was that at least 60% of participants achieved 50% of the predetermined exercise and dietary goals. Secondary outcomes were acceptability (participation, attendance, completion), physical health, and lifestyle outcomes.<h4>Results</h4>Of 73 referrals, 60 individuals were eligible, 58 (97%) provided consent, 51 (85%) commenced the intervention, and 34 (57%) completed at least 1 postintervention assessment (completion rate = 67%). The mean (SD) age of participants was 51 (8.8) years, and 50% of participants were receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Attendance was lower for exercise than for diet sessions (44% vs 62% attended ≥75% sessions). At T1, 36% of participants adhered to at at least 50% of the preset goals, improving at T2 (62.5%). Weight was not statistically significantly different between T0 and T1 (P = .199) but increased substantially at T2 (P = .018). Average waist circumference was reduced at T1 (‒1.9 cm, P = .014) and at T2 (‒3.3 cm, P < .001). Weekly exercise time increased by 38.5 minutes from T0 to T1 (P = .038), and the proportion of participants who met exercise guidelines improved from 6% (T0) to 41% (T2).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our primary outcome was not achieved immediately after the intervention but was observed 3 months later. Individuals completing the intervention attended at least half the diet and exercise sessions during chemotherapy. Results of this study will inform design of a phase 3 study.JNCI cancer spectrumFeasibility evaluation of a virtual lifestyle intervention for early-stage breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.PMC12909259APP1176221Lourenco RADella-Fiorentina SDhillon HMVardy JLMacdonald ERLee LKiely BESaleem SGerber SPearson ABoyle FTaylor NAddo IYYau HYTan SYCSpencer JTurner JYee JBauman ACollett GPrice EfalseFeasibility evaluation of a virtual lifestyle intervention for early-stage breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.<h4>Background</h4>Weight gain and physical inactivity during chemotherapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer are common. We sought to investigate the feasibility of a virtual lifestyle (exercise and diet) intervention for breast cancer survivors during chemotherapy.<h4>Methods</h4>This single-arm phase 2 trial delivered 12 weekly 1-hour telehealth sessions of supervised exercise and diet education to breast cancer survivors (patients with stage I-III disease) starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Screening, recruitment, intervention, and study assessments completed at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 3 months after the intervention (T2) were conducted by telehealth in 2022-2023. The primary outcome was that at least 60% of participants achieved 50% of the predetermined exercise and dietary goals. Secondary outcomes were acceptability (participation, attendance, completion), physical health, and lifestyle outcomes.<h4>Results</h4>Of 73 referrals, 60 individuals were eligible, 58 (97%) provided consent, 51 (85%) commenced the intervention, and 34 (57%) completed at least 1 postintervention assessment (completion rate = 67%). The mean (SD) age of participants was 51 (8.8) years, and 50% of participants were receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Attendance was lower for exercise than for diet sessions (44% vs 62% attended ≥75% sessions). At T1, 36% of participants adhered to at at least 50% of the preset goals, improving at T2 (62.5%). Weight was not statistically significantly different between T0 and T1 (P = .199) but increased substantially at T2 (P = .018). Average waist circumference was reduced at T1 (‒1.9 cm, P = .014) and at T2 (‒3.3 cm, P < .001). Weekly exercise time increased by 38.5 minutes from T0 to T1 (P = .038), and the proportion of participants who met exercise guidelines improved from 6% (T0) to 41% (T2).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our primary outcome was not achieved immediately after the intervention but was observed 3 months later. Individuals completing the intervention attended at least half the diet and exercise sessions during chemotherapy. Results of this study will inform design of a phase 3 study.2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-07-09T13:26:50.853Z2026-07-09T13:10:30.825ZS-EPMC129092594161979510.1093/jncics/pkaf122