Effect of Physical Activity on Static and Dynamic Postural Balance in Women Treated for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Abstract

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.

Updated systematic review of the effects of exercise on understudied health outcomes in cancer survivors

“…Five systematic reviews 8 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 and 10 new RCTs 11 , 63 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 were identified. One of these studies had falls as the primary outcome, 89 and some monitored it as an adverse event via patient report (e.g., Ref.…”

Biofeedback-Based Proprioceptive Training to Improve Functional Prerequisites of Dragon Boating in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Though gradually resumed, dragon boat training might simply have evidenced this phenomenon particularly referred to the anatomical regions most involved in paddling-specific motor gestures. Conversely, a post-intervention perceived pain decrease in the thoraco-lumbar region was detected, hence highlighting the benefits of proprioceptive and mobility exercises on postural control, body load management, and neuromuscular coordination [124][125][126][127]. Many daily living and recreative/sport activities require a strenuous exertion over a prolonged period of time; therefore, muscle endurance becomes a crucial requisite of physical performance and overall functionality [128,129].…”

Differential Impact of Exercises on Quality-of-Life Improvement in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The search was conducted in the aforementioned databases to scrutinize eligible trials. Additionally, the reference lists of various review articles [ 5 , 7 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] were examined and manual searches were performed. In situations where the two initial reviewers were unable to reach a consensus, a third reviewer and study author (PLC) was consulted.…”