Long-term improvement of breast cancer survivors’ quality of life by a 2-week group physical and educational intervention: 5-year update of the ‘PACThe’ trial

BACKGROUND: The advantages of adapted physical activity and nutritional education (APANE) on breast cancer prognosis and quality of life (QoL) are well known, but long-term results are lacking. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial testing a 2-week intervention in hydrothermal centres including APANE enrolled 251 patients post-chemotherapy. QoL and weight control were significantly improved at 12 months. A 5-year follow-up was performed to evaluate the persistence of improvements. RESULTS: QoL increase (SF36) was persistent: effect-size at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years equalled respectively 0.27 (−0.01; 0.56), 0.28 (−0.02; 0.58), 0.41 (0.02; 0.81) and 0.45 (0.11; 0.80). Weight control observed after intervention lasted 2 years: 2.7% decrease at 1 year (P=0.0085), 2.5% at 2 years (P=0.025); and respectively for waist −2.4% (−3.6; −1.1) (P=0.000014) and −1.3% (−2.5; −0.1) (P=0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-week intervention in hydrothermal centres performed shortly after chemotherapy can durably improve breast cancer patients’ QoL and reduce weight.