Background: Therapies against breast cancer (BC) frequently involve complications that impair patients’ daily function and quality of life, the most common of which are motor coordination and balance disorders, increasing the risk of falls and injuries. In such cases, physical activity is recommended. Designed following the PRISMA guidelines, this study presents a systematic review of randomised and pilot clinical trials investigating the effect of physical exercises on postural balance in women treated for BC. Methods: Scientific databases (PubMed, EBSCO) and the online resources of grey publications were searched for trial reports published between January 2002 and February 2022. The inclusion criteria necessitated full-text, English-language reports from randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or pilot clinical trials (pilot CTs), whose authors used physical exercises to treat women with BC and the experimental and control groups consisted of at least 10 women. The methodological quality of the RCTs and pilot CTs were measured using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS), respectively. Data were extracted on the effect of exercise on the women’s static and dynamic balance. Results: Seven reports, five RCTs and two pilot CTs involving a total of 575 women (aged 18–83 years) were included in the systematic review. Their training protocols utilised a variety of aerobic, strength, endurance, sensorimotor, Pilates exercises, and fitness exercises with elements of soccer. The experimental groups usually worked out in fitness or rehabilitation centres under the supervision of physiotherapists or trainers. Training sessions of 30–150 min were held 2 or 3 times a week for 1.5–24 months. Most trials reported that static and dynamic balance in the experimental groups improved significantly more compared with the control groups. Conclusions: Physical exercises are able to improve static and dynamic postural balance in women treated for BC. However, as all evidence in support of this conclusion comes from only two pilot CT and five RCTs whose methodologies varied widely, more high quality research is needed to validate their findings and determine which exercise protocols are the most effective in improving postural control in women with BC.

Background: Results from studies investigating the effects of rehabilitation robots, including those using robots combined with functional electrostimulation (FES), on gait quality and postural control post-stroke are conflicting. Therefore, the evidence supporting the use of this approach to rehabilitation remains inconclusive and further research is required into how robotic therapy and FES can improve gait function and postural control at different times after stroke. Aim of the study: To gain knowledge on the effectiveness of stationary robotic exercises, and robotic exercises combined with FES of the lower extremity muscles, on activities of daily living, gait quality, postural control, and quality of life, in people who were between one and six months post-stroke. Material and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical pilot study was conducted. Forty-three post-stroke patients hospitalized at a rehabilitation center were randomly assigned to the following three groups: the GEO Group, for whom stationary robotic exercises were provided, the GEO+FES Group, for whom stationary robotic exercises were provided in combination with FES, and the Control Group, for whom conventional overground gait training was provided. Exercises were undertaken by all groups for 20 minutes a day, six days a week, for three weeks. In addition, all patients were provided with basic post-stroke therapy based on the principles of best clinical practice. All patients were assessed for stroke symptoms before and after therapy using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), for independence in activities of daily living using the Barthel Index, and for quality of life using the Stroke Impact Scale Questionnaire. Static and dynamic postural control and gait performance were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Functional Reach Test, and the 10 Meter Walk Test. Static postural control and gait quality were also assessed using a treadmill with a stabilometric platform. Results. Exercising on a stationary robot, both with and without FES of the lower extremity muscles, contributed to a statistically significant reduction in stroke symptoms (NIHSS, p<0.05). Additionally, exercising on a stationary robot without FES application significantly improved patient quality of life (p<0.05). However, these effects were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups. Conclusions. Stationary robotic exercise, either with or without FES, can be used as a substitute for traditional overground gait training to reduce stroke symptoms and improve quality of life in the first six months post-stroke. They can also be used as exercises to augment standard post-stroke therapy.