A supervised program combining structured exercise, dietary advice, and behavioral support significantly improves quality of life and reduces fatigue for men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, according to a study published September 4 in The Lancet Oncology. Researchers tracked 700 participants across 15 National Health Service facilities in England to evaluate the lifestyle intervention.
The STAMINA Lifestyle Trial Design
Funded by the National Institute for Health Research in the United Kingdom, the five-year research project assessed the long-term impact of supervised exercise training on quality of life and fatigue. Participants received androgen deprivation therapy, a common treatment that lowers androgen levels and is frequently combined with chemotherapy and radiation.
Researchers monitored 700 men with a median age of 71, of whom 97% were white, across 15 NHS facilities in England. Participants were randomly assigned between January 2022 and January 2023, with follow-up examinations conducted through June 2024. One group received the STAMINA regimen—supervised aerobic and resistance exercise alongside dietary advice and behavioral support—while the control group received standard supplementary treatment.
Treatment Side Effects and Trial Results
Androgen deprivation therapy frequently causes side effects including low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of bone density, fatigue, and mood changes. During the 12-month trial period, more than 80% of participants in the STAMINA group attended their scheduled sessions.
According to the study authors, men who completed the lifestyle program reported better cancer-specific quality of life and less fatigue than those who received standard care. Ying Wang, a senior principal scientist with the Department of Population Science at the American Cancer Society who was not involved in the study, noted that strong trial evidence specifically targeting men receiving androgen deprivation therapy provides valuable data, as much prior research focused on breast cancer survivors.
Implementation and Future Expansion
The study authors stated that the STAMINA lifestyle intervention meets best practice guidelines and can be implemented directly within NHS trusts in England. The findings offer clinicians a clear basis to identify patients and prescribe supervised exercise and dietary advice to mitigate the negative effects of androgen deprivation therapy.
Following the successful trial results, Nuffield Health—which participated in the research—launched a new cancer activity program to make a version of STAMINA available for prostate cancer patients. The organization plans to expand the program to cover breast and bowel cancer across 50,000 medical facilities by 2030. However, researchers noted that the study did not establish whether these quality-of-life benefits translate into longer overall survival.