PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:~I. Determine the feasibility of implementing a home-based exercise intervention in older adults receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.~SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:~I. Describe and determine the incidence of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 3-5 toxicities overall and in three risk subgroups (low-risk, mid-risk and high-risk) determined by the Cancer and Aging Research Group-Breast Cancer (CARG-BC) tool.~II. Evaluate the accuracy of the CARG-BC tool in predicting the incidence of CTCAE grade 3-5 toxicities.~III. Determine the incidence of dose-reductions, dose-delays, treatment discontinuation and reduced-dose intensity (RDI; defined as < 85% of total dose) overall and in the three risk subgroups.~IV. Determine the incidence of hospitalizations overall and in the three risk subgroups.~V. To examine the effect of the intervention on quality of life overall and in the three risk subgroups, as assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F).~VI. To examine the effect of the intervention on function overall and in the three risk subgroups.~VII. To examine the effects of the intervention on patient expectation and self-efficacy, as assessed by Outcomes Expectations for Exercise (OEE) and Perceived Self-Efficacy for Fatigue Self-Management (PSEFSM) respectively.~OUTLINE:~Patients participate in one-on-one coaching sessions with a health coach once a week (QW) to discuss the content offered in the program, and challenges they are currently facing in achieving their exercise goals. Patients receive a copy of the Walk with Ease Program (WWE) workbook, wear a fitness tracker and are encouraged to achieve 150 minutes of walking per week during chemotherapy and up to 1 month after chemotherapy. Patients also participate in the Growing Stronger Strength Training Program and receive instruction manuals. They perform the initial 2 exercises 2 days per week for 4 weeks, and subsequent 2 exercises 2 days per week for the remainder of the chemotherapy course. Patients maintain exercise logs and complete questionnaires over 30-45 minutes at baseline, end of chemotherapy and at 1 month after chemotherapy.
This clinical trial evaluates the feasibility of exercise during chemotherapy in older women with stage I-III breast cancer. Previous studies have reported that exercise may reduce the chemotherapy-toxicity risk. This trial may help researchers learn if engaging in a physical activity program is feasible in patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.