Effects of Scheduled Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Women with Early Breast Cancer

Abstract

While physical activity during cancer treatment is found beneficial for breast cancer patients, evidence indicates ambiguous findings concerning effects of scheduled exercise programs on treatment-related symptoms. This study investigated effects of a scheduled home-based exercise intervention in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, on cancer-related fatigue, physical fitness, and activity level. Sixty-seven women were randomized to an exercise intervention group (n = 33, performed strength training 3x/week and 30 minutes brisk walking/day) and a control group (n = 34, performed their regular physical activity level). Data collection was performed at baseline, at completion of chemotherapy (Post1), and 6-month postchemotherapy (Post2). Exercise levels were slightly higher in the scheduled exercise group than in the control group. In both groups, cancer-related fatigue increased at Post1 but returned to baseline at Post2. Physical fitness and activity levels decreased at Post1 but were significantly improved at Post2. Significant differences between intervention and control groups were not found. The findings suggest that generally recommended physical activity levels are enough to relief cancer-related fatigue and restore physical capacity in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, although one cannot rule out that results reflect diminishing treatment side effects over time.

Effects of a self-managed home-based walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial

“…Increased levels of self-reported physical activity following our walking intervention are promising as 281 they indicate positive effects of our self-managed intervention without the need for individualised 282 sessions proposed in previous home-based interventions among breast cancer patients [21,25] . 283…”

“…Physical activity interventions have varied in duration from 4 weeks [24] to 6 months [25] and have 76 been delivered in both individual [18] and group settings [13]. However, interventions that are 77 delivered in group settings, or that are hospital-based and/or supervised, can restrict participation as 78 patients undergoing chemotherapy are often busy with treatment schedules, are unwell or have limited 79 access to exercise facilities due to transportation or scheduling difficulties [16].…”

“…However, interventions that are 77 delivered in group settings, or that are hospital-based and/or supervised, can restrict participation as 78 patients undergoing chemotherapy are often busy with treatment schedules, are unwell or have limited 79 access to exercise facilities due to transportation or scheduling difficulties [16]. To overcome such 80 restrictions some researchers have moved towards the use of home-based, physical activity 81 interventions for patients undergoing active treatment and report positive effects on psychosocial 82 health outcomes [21,25,26]. However, some of these studies required regular facilitation by 83 researchers or nursing staff.…”

“…Home-based physical activity interventions have previously shown to improve psychosocial 93 functioning in breast cancer patients [21,25,29] and survivors [16,22]. However, these have been 94 directed by researchers or nursing staff.…”

Exercise

“…The exercise program involved both a walking prescription of 30 minutes of brisk walking a day and strength exercises to be performed using resistance bands three times per week 26 . The women received a telephone call from the research team every second week and kept exercise diaries.…”