Objective
This three‐armed randomized controlled feasibility trial tested the acceptability and acute effects of aerobic exercise and technology‐guided mindfulness training (relative to standalone interventions) on cancer‐related fatigue among breast cancer survivors (BCS).
Methods
BCS recruited from Central Illinois completed pre‐ and post‐testing using established measures and were randomized to one of three groups (combined aerobic exercise with guided‐mindfulness relaxation, aerobic exercise only, and relaxation only), conducted in three 90 min sessions over the course of 7 days in a fitness room and research office on a university campus.
Results
We enrolled 40 BCS (Mage = 57.33 ± 8.75), MBMI = 27.38 ± 5.27, Mfatigue = 4.56 ± 1.81 as measured by the Piper Fatigue Scale. More favorable post‐intervention evaluations were reported by the combined group, compared to aerobic exercise or relaxation only (p < 0.05). Reductions in fatigue favoring the combined group (p = 0.05) showed a modest effect size (Cohen's d = 0.91) compared to aerobic exercise only.
Conclusions
These findings provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility of combining evidence‐based techniques to address fatigue among BCS. The combined approach, incorporating mobile health technology, presents an efficacious and well‐received design. If replicated in longer trials, the approach could provide a promising opportunity to deliver broad‐reaching interventions for improved outcomes in BCS.
Preregistered‐ClinicalTrials NCT03702712