Facilitative strategies, psychological factors, and strength/weight training behaviors in breast cancer survivors who are at risk for osteoporosis

Many women who have been treated for breast cancer are at increased risk for bone loss. Strength/weight training exercises (SWTE) may be effective in preventing bone loss and subsequent fractures. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine psychological factors (self-efficacy, perceived benefits vs. costs, and processes of change) and their relationship to adherence and progression in use of heavier weights in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Twenty-three BCS with mean age of 54.8 (SD = 7.2) years, mean time since menopause of 5.8 (SD = 5.3) years, and mean time since cancer treatment completion of 4.1 (SD = 3.0) years. Exploratory one-group design with multicomponent intervention inclusive of medication, calcium with vitamin D supplement, and home-based SWTE with facilitative strategies by nurses and personal exercise trainers based on the Transtheoretical Model. BCS doing SWTE for 6 months: (1) maintain a high level of self-efficacy, (2) perceive increasing benefits for 6 months, (3) use cognitive processes more frequently than behavioral ones, (4) were highly adherent to the SWTE, and (5) demonstrate that behavioral processes are positively related to increase in pounds lifted. DISCUSSION/CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Larger randomized trials studies are needed to determine the most effective strategies for assuring adherence to and progression of SWTE in this population at risk for osteoporosis.