A pilot study of group exercise training (GET) for women with primary breast cancer: feasibility and health benefits

Abstract

Evidence is accumulating for physical activity as an effective, well-tolerated, highly rewarding complementary behavioral intervention for enhancing quality of life (QOL) as well as fitness among individuals with chronic and even terminal illnesses. However, relatively few studies have examined the feasibility and potential health benefits of supervised, structured exercise programs for sedentary women with primary breast cancer. Forty women over the age of 45 with primary breast cancer participated in a course of group exercise training (GET) delivered in a structured format three times per week for 16 weeks. GET emphasizes physical activities that promote aerobic fitness, strength, and flexibility. Assessments of fitness/vigor and QOL were conducted prior to, during, and upon completion of the program. Results demonstrated that GET was feasible, safe, and well-tolerated. Moreover, the participants experienced significant health benefits over the course of the intervention in multiple dimensions of fitness/vigor (aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility) as well as QOL (increased positive affect, decreased distress, enhanced well-being, and improved functioning). Discussion highlights the need for inclusion of physical activity programs in comprehensive, complementary treatment regimes for breast cancer patients.

Efeitos do treinamento de resistência na força muscular e níveis de fadiga em pacientes com câncer de mama

“…The variables that were included in the Pearson Product-Moment correlation model were: ∆ S = Overall muscular strength final assessment -overall strength pre-surgery and ∆ F = Fatigue levels final assessment -fatigue levels pre-surgery. The results of the correlation analysis are presented in table 5. observed (19)(20)(21) . The reason for the contradictory results observed in the present study may be attributed to the small sample size, the muscular strength assessment protocol, and/or duration and intensity of the exercise protocol used in the study.…”

“…The reason for the contradictory results observed in the present study may be attributed to the small sample size, the muscular strength assessment protocol, and/or duration and intensity of the exercise protocol used in the study. In a study by Kolden et al (20) , forty breast cancer patients underwent an exercise intervention consisting of one hour sessions of warm-up, aerobic, resistance, and cool-down exercises three days a week for sixteen weeks. Kolden et al (20) found significant changes in muscular strength in women who adhered to the exercise program during the study.…”

“…In a study by Kolden et al (20) , forty breast cancer patients underwent an exercise intervention consisting of one hour sessions of warm-up, aerobic, resistance, and cool-down exercises three days a week for sixteen weeks. Kolden et al (20) found significant changes in muscular strength in women who adhered to the exercise program during the study. The protocol of the present study was similar to Kolden et al (20) , however, the lower number of subjects (twenty, with ten in the exercise group and 10 in the control group), and the lower frequency of the administration of the exercise intervention of only two days a week may have been the reason for the different results among the two studies.…”

The effect of group cohesion on rehabilitation outcome in cancer survivors

“…Several of these programs were offered to individuals in group format and these reported improvement in quality of life, physical functioning and fatigue in cancer patients during primary treatment [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and after completion of initial treatment [11][12][13][14]. Recently, interest has been growing in patients' experience with training within groups.…”

Impact of a Home-Based Walking Intervention on Outcomes of Sleep Quality, Emotional Distress, and Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Solid Tumors

“…Individualized exercise programs have also been helpful in preserving or improving physical and cardiorespiratory fitness either during or after cancer treatment [9 -15], and home-based exercise programs have demonstrated beneficial effects on fatigue, physical functioning, mood, sleep, and quality of life for these patients [16 -18] . However, prior studies have been limited by focusing on single diagnoses, usually breast or prostate cancer [12][13][14][15], excluding patients undergoing chemotherapy [19], small samples, or reliance on supervised exercise programs [19 -21]. To address this knowledge gap, the primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that participants with solid tumors receiving radiation and/or adjuvant chemotherapy who participated in a homebased walking exercise intervention would demonstrate improved sleep quality, better emotional well-being, and lower levels of fatigue when compared to participants who were not offered the intervention.…”