Making Activity Time for Cognitive Health (MATCH)

Approximately 75% of cancer survivors experience some degree of cognitive deficit throughout their cancer experience, with upwards of one third of breast cancer survivors reporting impairments up to a decade after treatment. Chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy to remove cancerous tissue can result in deficits in attention, speed of processing, memory, and quality of life. Physical activity has been associated with a number of health benefits for breast cancer survivors including improvements in cognitive function. The investigators recently reported on the beneficial effects of acute exercise, or single sessions of physical activity, on processing speed and spatial working memory in breast cancer survivors, suggesting that acute bouts of physical activity may mitigate select domains of CRCI. Specifically, survivors in this study demonstrated faster processing speed, and trended towards faster and more accurate spatial working memory, after thirty minutes of moderate-intensity walking compared to seated rest. But half an hour of walking may be challenging to certain subgroups of survivors, particularly those who are deconditioned or with significant barriers to longer walks. With a renewed focus on un-bouted physical activity and avoiding inactivity during survivorship, it is important to better understand the dose or volume of exercise responsible for providing breast cancer survivors with the greatest cognitive benefits. The investigators examined the effects of varying durations of exercise (e.g., 10, 20 and 30 minutes) on cognitive function in breast cancer survivors to identify the optimal length of acute exercise. Findings from this study will inform new guidelines for acute exercise after cancer.

All participants will walk on the treadmill and perform a battery of cognitive tasks immediately prior and immediately after the walking session. Participants will be randomized the length of time spent walking on the treadmill: 10, 20 or 30 minutes.

All participants will walk on the treadmill and perform a battery of cognitive tasks immediately prior and immediately after the walking session. Participants will be randomized the length of time spent walking on the treadmill: 10, 20 or 30 minutes.

All participants will walk on the treadmill and perform a battery of cognitive tasks immediately prior and immediately after the walking session. Participants will be randomized the length of time spent walking on the treadmill: 10, 20 or 30 minutes.

All participants will complete both a walking and a sitting session, but the duration of these sessions will be determined randomly. Prior to each session, participants will complete a cognitive battery consisting of a working memory task (Spatial Working Memory domain). They will then complete the same cognitive battery immediately after the session. Accuracy ranges from 0-100% and reaction time ranges from 0-5000 milliseconds.

All participants will complete both a walking and a sitting session, but the duration of these sessions will be determined randomly. Prior to each session, participants will complete a cognitive battery consisting of an attention task (Flanker task). They will then complete the same cognitive battery immediately after the session. Accuracy ranges from 0-100% and reaction time ranges from 0-5000 milliseconds.

All participants will complete both a walking and a sitting session, but the duration of these sessions will be determined randomly. Prior to each session, participants will complete a cognitive battery consisting of a cognitive flexibility task (Task Switching Paradigm). They will then complete the same cognitive battery immediately after the session. Accuracy ranges from 0-100% and reaction time ranges from 0-5000 milliseconds.

All participants will complete both a walking and a sitting session, but the duration of these sessions will be determined randomly. Prior to each session, participants will complete a cognitive battery consisting of a processing speed task (Letter Comparison task). They will then complete the same cognitive battery immediately after the session. Accuracy ranges from 0-100% and reaction time ranges from 0-5000 milliseconds.

Lifestyle physical activity as a predictor of change in cognitive function (executive function domains: working memory, attention/inhibition/cognitive flexibility and processing speed) after acute exercise

Investigators are interested in determining what lifestyle factors are associated with significant change in cognition (processing speed, working memory, attention/inhibition, cognitive flexibility) from pre- to post-acute exercise. Lifestyle physical activity will be measured via accelerometer in units of average minutes per day. Higher values indicate greater levels of lifestyle physical activity.

Mental health as a predictor of change in cognitive function (executive function domains: working memory, attention/inhibition/cognitive flexibility and processing speed) after acute exercise

Investigators are interested in determining what mental health factors are associated with significant change in cognition (processing speed, working memory, attention/inhibition, cognitive flexibility) from pre- to post-acute exercise. Mental health factors of interest are anxiety and depression as measured via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Scores range from 0-21 with higher scores indicating increased anxiety and depression.

Body mass index as a predictor of change in cognitive function (executive function domains: working memory, attention/inhibition/cognitive flexibility and processing speed) after acute exercise

Investigators are interested in determining is body mass index associated with significant change in cognition (processing speed, working memory, attention/inhibition, cognitive flexibility) from pre- to post-acute exercise. Body mass index will be measured using the standard kilograms/meters^2. Increased body mass index indicates worsened health.

Change from baseline in anxiety levels after one bout of exercise as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire.

Participants will complete a short anxiety questionnaire before and after a 30 minute bout of aerobic exercise. The investigators will then compare the pre- and post- values to examine if any changes are present. Scores on the HADS range from 0-21 with higher scores indicating increased anxiety and depression.

Inclusion Criteria: women over the age of 18 diagnosis of breast cancer no longer undergoing treatment fluent in English no history of dementia or organic brain syndrome not currently pregnant able to walk unassisted no health reasons that would prevent ability to exercise not currently enrolled in another exercise research study reported trouble with memory/concentration physician's consent Exclusion Criteria: male no diagnosis of breast cancer under 18 years of age currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer inability to communicate in English history of dementia or organic brain syndrome pregnant unable to walk unassisted other health reasons that may prevent ability to exercise enrolled in another exercise research study no reported trouble with memory or concentration non-consent of physician

Salerno EA, Rowland K, Hillman CH, Trinh L, Kramer AF, McAuley E. Dose-Response Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise Duration on Cognitive Function in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Front Psychol. 2020 Jul 14;11:1500. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01500. eCollection 2020.