Exercise intervention in breast cancer patients with aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia: a pilot study

Abstract

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) block estrogen synthesis and are commonly used as adjuvant treatments for breast cancer patients. A common side effect is joint pain. This was a pilot study to examine implementation of an exercise program in reducing joint pain and improving quality of life (QoL) and functional performance in breast cancer patients treated with AIs. Twenty-six participants completed an 8-week, home-based program that combined upper and lower body resistance exercises with self-selected aerobic exercises. We measured: (1) anthropometry (2) functional performance (grip strength, biceps curl to exhaustion, and sit-to-stand and cardiovascular endurance (3-min step test). Joint pain and QoL were assessed using self-administered surveys. Participants reported a significantly lower number of painful joints, an improvement in QoL and a reduction in depressive symptoms. Significant improvements in grip strength, biceps curl, and sit-to-stand (by 14%, 51% and 15% respectively) were also observed. However, we found no significant changes in cardiovascular endurance or in anthropometric measures. An 8-week, home-based exercise program may provide potential benefit to the breast cancer patients undergoing AI treatment by reducing joint pain, improving functional performance and QoL, and reducing depressive symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Home-Based Walking Program to Reduce Moderate to Severe Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgia in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…The authors did not find a dose‐response effect of exercise; more exercise was not associated with greater improvement in joint symptoms. Other small scale studies of exercise to reduce AIAA have explored aquatic exercise , Nordic walking , and an 8‐week home‐based aerobic and resistance exercise program , and all have reported promising benefits. Recent meta‐analyses of AIAA management interventions rated the overall evidence regarding exercise to reduce AIAA as moderate and that further studies are needed .…”

Aromatase inhibitor associated arthralgia: the importance of oncology provider-patient communication about side effects and potential management through physical activity

“…The exercise group also experienced significantly decreased pain severity and pain interference compared to the usual care group (p<0.001) [41]. Other studies evaluating the potential benefits of exercise or movement in the management of AI-associated arthralgia include a pilot study of a yoga intervention [42]; pilot study of an 8-week, home-based program of resistance and aerobic exercises [43]; controlled trial of an aquatic exercise intervention [44]; and pilot study of a tai chi intervention [45]. …”

Management of aromatase inhibitor induced musculoskeletal symptoms in postmenopausal early Breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Three studies investigated a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program, including two randomised control trials (35,56), and one pre/post study (57). One pre/post study investigated a home-based exercise program (58), and two studies investigated walking programs, including one RCT involving Nordic Walking (33), and one pre/post study investigating a self-directed walking program (59). One pre/post study investigated Tai Chi (60), and two other pre/post studies investigated yoga (61,62).…”