Resumen de Health through activity: initial evaluation of an in-home intervention for older adults with cancer

Kathleen Doyle Lyons, Martha L. Bruce, Jay G. Hull, Peter A. Kaufman, Zhongze Li, Diane M. Stearns, Frederick Lansigan, Mary Chamberlin, Alexander Fuld, Stephen J. Bartels, Jessica Whipple, Marie A. Bakitas, Mark T Hegel

• OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full-scale trial to test the efficacy of an in-home occupational therapy intervention designed to reduce disability in older adult cancer survivors.

  METHOD. Participants reporting activity limitations during or after cancer treatment were enrolled in a Phase 1 pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the 6-wk intervention (n = 30) to usual care (n = 29). Descriptive data on retention rates were collected to assess feasibility of intervention and study procedures. Potential efficacy was explored through participants’ self-reported disability, quality of life, activity level, and behavioral activation at 0, 8, and 16 wk after enrollment.

  RESULTS. Retention rates were high regarding completion of the intervention (90%) and outcome assessments (90% of usual-care participants and 80% of intervention participants). Outcomes consistently favored the intervention group, although group differences were small.

  CONCLUSION. The procedures were feasible to implement and acceptable to participants.