The Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Men With and Without Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective, Comparative Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Men with prostate cancer (PCa) may be referred to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following a significant cardiac event, but it is unknown if these men have different effects of CR from men without a history of PCa.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of CR on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak), body fat percentage, and body mass index in men with and without a history of PCa.

METHODS: CR participants with PCa were retrospectively compared with a cohort matched on age, clinical indication for CR, and date of referral to the CR program. Participants completed the standardized CR program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, including 1 weekly supervised group session and 4 additional weekly home sessions including aerobic and resistance training for 26 weeks.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven (n = 27) men with PCa were identified and matched 1∶1 with controls. VO2 peak increased in the PCa group (16.9 [5.1]-19.6 [6.2] mL·kg-1 ·min-1 ; Δ 2.7 mL·kg-1 ·min-1 , P < .05) and in the control group (16.4 [4.2]-20.2 [5.8] mL·kg-1 ·min-1 ; Δ 3.8 mL·kg-1 ·min-1 , P < .05) as a result of engaging in CR. There were no significant between-group differences in the postintervention outcomes (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Men with and without PCa experience comparable benefits following CR completion.