Following the first home-based kinase inhibitor Rucaparib assessment, participants randomised to the intervention group received an eight-week home-based physical rehabilitation program that focused on strength training and walking. A qualified trainer (physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or registered nurse with additional specific training for this project) visited participants at home in weeks 1, 3 and 6 to provide individualised verbal and written instructions on their planned exercise program. Each home visit session was 60 to 90 minutes in duration. The trainer also telephoned intervention group participants in weeks 2, 4, 5 and 7 to monitor their progress.The program reflected standard approaches for improving muscle strength and endurance within cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation settings [31,32].

Exercise prescription and supervised physical rehabilitation training involved graded, individualised endurance and strength training designed by a pulmonary rehabilitation physiotherapist. Training focused initially on walking (endurance training) and lower limb exercises (strength training). As participants progressed, core stabilisation and upper limb exercises were introduced. The remaining two trainer home visits and telephone contacts in non-visit weeks assessed participant progress and compliance, prescribed progression and reinforced the exercise program [20].

An illustrated exercise manual supported the participant’s training and graded progression, structured in three parts: Part 1 described how to gauge exercise intensity based on a level of ‘moderate’ to ‘somewhat heavy’ perceived exertion (score of 3 to 4 on the modified Borg Scale) [33] and also provided information Brefeldin_A about participant safety; Part 2 provided a detailed exercise program; and Part 3 described how to progress the endurance and strength training. The exercise program consisted of five components-endurance exercise (walking), lower and upper limb strengthening, core stabilisation, flexibility, and stretches. A total of 16 different exercises were numbered, named, illustrated and described, to facilitate participant-trainer communication and exercise progression. This included four stretching, three flexion, and three core stabilisation exercises, which were included in the trainer’s exercise prescription based on assessment of the participant’s capabilities and needs.Endurance (walk) trainingExercise prescription for endurance training was based on the results of each participant’s 6MWT during the Week 1 assessment visit. Training intensity commenced at 80% of peak walking speed. Extra activities were prescribed based on a level of perceived exertion of 3 to 4 using the modified Borg scale [33].