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Multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program (IM-FIT) for cancer survivors: implementation of a reimbursable model in a cancer hospital

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Abstract

Purpose

We examined the initial effects of a real-world application of a multimodal, reimbursable program to improve lifestyle and promote healthy weight loss in cancer survivors as part of their care.

Methods

The lifestyle program (Integrative Medicine Fitness Program; IM-FIT) focusing on increasing physical activity and strength training, improving nutrition, and facilitating stress management and behavior change was delivered in a group format over 12 weeks. Patients met weekly with a physical therapist, dietitian, and psychologist. Body composition and behavioral data were collected at the start and end of 12 weeks, as well as fitness, nutrition, and psychological data. The first cohort started in September 2017, and the last cohort ended in August 2019.

Results

Twenty-six patients (92% female; mean age = 62.7, SD = 9) completed the program, which was pre-approved and covered as in-network by their health insurance. Patients lost an average of 3.9% of their body weight (SD =  − 2.2). There was a significant reduction in white bread and desserts and increase in legumes and non-dairy milk. Time spent in vigorous exercise (p < .001), strength training (p < .001), and total exercise (p < .001) significantly increased. Patients reported reduction in depression (7.76 to 4.29; p = .01), anxiety (6.14 to 3.29; p < .01), and overall distress (4.70 to 3.40; p < .01).

Conclusion

We demonstrated that a multi-disciplinary weight loss program can be tailored to cancer survivors leading to weight reduction and improvements in lifestyle factors and mental health. This program showed successful real-world implementation with insurance reimbursement.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

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Funding

This program and work was financially supported by a grant from the Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, Unit 1414, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Aimee J. Christie, Catherine Powers-James, Santhosshi Narayanan, Minxing Chen, Carol Eddy, Telma Gomez, Karla Crawford, Lorenzo Cohen & Gabriel Lopez

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  1. Aimee J. Christie
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  2. Catherine Powers-James
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  3. Santhosshi Narayanan
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  4. Minxing Chen
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  5. Carol Eddy
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  6. Telma Gomez
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  7. Karla Crawford
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  8. Lorenzo Cohen
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  9. Gabriel Lopez
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Contributions

Conceptualization: Lorenzo Cohen, Catherine Powers-James, Carol Eddy, Gabriel Lopez; Provision of study materials or patients: Catherine Powers-James, Aimee J. Christie, Karla Crawford, Carol Eddy; Collection and assembly of data: Telma Gomez, Catherine Powers-James, Aimee J. Christie, Karla Crawford, Carol Eddy; Gabriel Lopez; Formal analysis and investigation: Minxing Chen, Aimee J. Christie, Catherine Powers-James; Writing—original draft preparation: Aimee J. Christie, Catherine Powers-James, Santhosshi Narayanan; Writing—review and editing: all authors; Funding acquisition: Lorenzo Cohen, Gabriel Lopez.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aimee J. Christie.

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Ethics approval

Data was collected as part of a Center-based database as part of an IRB-approved protocol.

Consent to participate

Due to the low-risk nature of the data and with IRB oversight of the protocol, the study was conducted under a consent waiver.

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Not applicable.

Competing interests

Lorenzo Cohen is the co-author of the book Anticancer Living: Transform Your Life and Health with the Mix of Six for which he receives royalties.

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Aimee J. Christie and Catherine Powers-James have equal contribution as first authors.

Lorenzo Cohen and Gabriel Lopez have equal contribution as senior authors.

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Christie, A.J., Powers-James, C., Narayanan, S. et al. Multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program (IM-FIT) for cancer survivors: implementation of a reimbursable model in a cancer hospital. Support Care Cancer 29, 7365–7375 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06305-7

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