Systematic review of the effect of aquatic therapeutic exercise in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Background: Aquatic therapeutic exercise can be equally effective or even superior to land-based exercise in improving several clinical variables. However, there is still a lack of knowledge on the effects compared to land-based interventions particularly in breast cancer (BC) patients. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the effects of aquatic therapeutic exercise on pain, shoulder mobility, lymphedema, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, pulmonary function, cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and which parameters are effective compared to similar land-based interventions. Methods: The databases used were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CINAHL, retrieving 145 articles. Results: Eleven studies were included. Aquatic therapeutic exercise is feasible, safe, well tolerated and achieved high percentages of adherence. As for the assessed outcomes, moderate to large improvements were found compared to usual care or to land-based physical exercise interventions in pain, shoulder range of motion, pulmonary function, HRQoL, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. Inconclusive results were found for lymphedema, body composition and CRF.Conclusions: Aquatic therapeutic exercise interventions using a combination of endurance, strength, mobility, stretching and breathing exercises resulted in improvements in common side effects of BC and its treatments. More studies on CRF, body composition and lymphedema need to be done to further evaluate the impact of the intervention on these outcomes.

Methodological consideration for a physical activity intervention in breast cancer population: An umbrella review

“…The literature confirms the effectiveness of this ET strategy [ [67] , [68] , [69] ]. Furthermore aerobic, resistance and other ET modalities could be proposed in the aquatic environment because this is feasible, safe, well-tolerated and with positive outcomes on different BC symptoms, improve QoL, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength and achieve high percentages of adherence [ 70 ]. One aspect that must be considered in the case of water therapy is the intervention of those that are at risk of suffering or presenting BC-related lymphedema.…”

Quality of life of breast cancer patients

“…Many cancer patients experience symptoms that arise as a result of the infection process or treatment side effects, which results in pain, fatigue (Tolotti et al, 2021), nausea, and vomiting (Danhauer et al, 2019). Anxiety or depression symptoms that generally appear in patients can interfere with the patient's involvement in physical and social activities (Mur-Gimeno et al, 2021). Physical symptoms and psychological distress experienced by breast cancer patients harm their QOL.…”

The effect of aquatic and land exercise on the mental well-being of women following breast cancer surgery-comparative study

“…Aquatic physical therapy—also known as hydrotherapy or aquatic exercise has been used in many areas of rehabilitation, including in improving the physical fitness of patients after cancer treatment, mostly diagnosed with BC [ 23 ].…”