scholarly journals Effects of a structured exercise program on physical performance and function, quality of life and work ability of physically active breast cancer survivors

Author(s):  
Timothy Hasenöhrl ◽  
Stefano Palma ◽  
Dominikus F. -X. Huber ◽  
Andrej Zdravkovic ◽  
Richard Crevenna

Summary Background Purpose of this retrospective data analysis was to depict the effects of a structured off-season conditioning program with breast cancer survivors competing in dragon boat paddling. Methods In this study 10 breast cancer survivors (mean age 52.0 ± 5.4 years) who had finished the primary cancer treatment and who were paddlers of the Vienna Pink Dragon self-help group underwent a structured 10-week exercise program as part of their routine supportive treatment. Upper extremity strength, endurance capacity, shoulder flexibility, quality of life and work ability were assessed at baseline and after completion of the exercise program. Results Out of 10 patients 8 completed more than 80% of the exercise sessions. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of the pooled exercise effects showed a very large effect size (Η2 = 0.982); however, the change from baseline to follow-up was non-significant (p = 0.363). In the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life of Cancer Patients Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) the exercise program led to a significant improvement of body image (p = 0.02) and less arm symptoms in the affected arm (p = 0.04). Conclusion A structured and well-planned exercise intervention program can have a large effect on the physical performance of pretrained breast cancer survivors. Moreover, it can increase the body image and decrease the arm symptoms in this population.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Morone ◽  
Marco Iosa ◽  
Augusto Fusco ◽  
Antonella Scappaticci ◽  
Maria Rosaria Alcuri ◽  
...  

In breast cancer survivors, own body image may change due to physical and psychological reasons, worsening women’s living. The aim of the study was to investigate whether body image may affect the functional and quality of life outcomes after a multidisciplinary and educational rehabilitative intervention in sixty women with primary nonmetastatic breast cancer who have undergone conservative surgery. To assess the quality of life was administered The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Study Group on Quality of Life core questionnaire, while to investigate the psychological features and self-image were administered the following scales: the Body Image Scale, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. To assess the recovery of the function of the shoulder were administered: the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire and the Constant-Murley Score. Data were collected at the baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. We found a general improvement in the outcomes related to quality of life, and physical and psychological features after treatment (P< 0.001). During follow-up period, a higher further improvement in women without alterations in body image in respect of those with an altered self-perception of their own body was found (P= 0.01). In conclusion, the body image may influence the efficacy of a rehabilitative intervention, especially in the short term of follow-up.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Benton ◽  
Maura C. Schlairet ◽  
David R. Gibson

To evaluate the effect of age on quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors after resistance training, 20 women were assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on age (YRT 40–59 yr, ORT 60–80 yr). Both groups completed 3 sets of 8 exercises twice a week for 8 wk. Measurements were obtained before and after the training program. QOL was measured using the Body Image and Relationship Scale (BIRS). Both groups improved in chest press (p< .001), leg press (p< .001), arm curls (p< .05), and chair stands (p< .001). For QOL, YRT reported greater improvements compared with ORT in BIRS total score (Group × Time interaction,p= .002) and strength and health subscale score (Group × Time interaction,p= .001), and greater age was related to greater perceived impairment (BIRS total:r= .61,p= .004; strength and health subscale:r= .69,p= .001). Despite significant improvements in strength and function, older women perceived relatively little improvement in QOL compared with younger women, and age had a differential negative influence on improvements in QOL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. e77
Author(s):  
Daniel Hughes ◽  
Nathaniel Castañeda ◽  
Lauren Kurhajec ◽  
Devin Odvody ◽  
Alejandra Ordaz ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Gabriele Mascherini ◽  
Benedetta Tosi ◽  
Chiara Giannelli ◽  
Elena Ermini ◽  
Leonardo Osti ◽  
...  

Improvements in cancer care over the years have increased the numbers of cancer survivors. Therefore, quality of life, fat mass management and physical activity are growing areas of interest in these people. After the surgical removal of a breast cancer, adjuvant therapy remains anyway a common strategy. The aim of this study was to assess how adjuvant therapy can affect the effectiveness of an unsupervised exercise program. Forty-two women were enrolled (52.0 ± 10.1 years). Assessments performed at baseline and after six months of exercise prescription were body composition, health-related quality of life, aerobic capacity by Six-Minute Walk Test, limbs strength by hand grip and chair test and flexibility by sit and reach. Statistical analyses were conducted by ANOVA tests and multiple regression. Improvements in body composition, physical fitness and quality of life (physical functioning, general health, social functioning and mental health items) were found. The percentage change in fat mass has been associated with adjuvant cancer therapy (intercept = −0.016; b = 8.629; p < 0.05). An unsupervised exercise prescription program improves body composition, physical fitness and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Adjuvant therapy in cancer slows down the effectiveness of an exercise program in the loss of fat mass.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. v77-v78
Author(s):  
A. Joaquim ◽  
P. Antunes ◽  
C. Garcia ◽  
V. Afreixo ◽  
A. Amarelo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pegueros-Pérez ◽  
Rebeca Salas-Romero ◽  
Ariadna del Villar-Morales ◽  
José G. Franco-Sánchez

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4091
Author(s):  
Marina M. Reeves ◽  
Caroline O. Terranova ◽  
Elisabeth Winkler ◽  
Nicole McCarthy ◽  
Ingrid J. Hickman ◽  
...  

Limited evidence exists on the effects of weight loss on chronic disease risk and patient-reported outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors (stage I-III; body mass index 25–45 kg/m2) were randomized to a 12-month, remotely delivered (22 telephone calls, mailed material, optional text messages) weight loss (diet and physical activity) intervention (n = 79) or usual care (n = 80). Weight loss (primary outcome), body composition, metabolic syndrome risk score and components, quality of life, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, menopausal symptoms, fear of recurrence, and body image were assessed at baseline, 6 months, 12 months (primary endpoint), and 18 months. Participants were 55 ± 9 years and 10.7 ± 5.0 months post-diagnosis; retention was 81.8% (12 months) and 80.5% (18 months). At 12-months, intervention participants had significantly greater improvements in weight (−4.5% [95%CI: −6.5,−2.5]; p < 0.001), fat mass (−3.3 kg [−4.8,−1.9]; p < 0.001), metabolic syndrome risk score (−0.19 [−0.32,−0.05]; p = 0.006), waist circumference (−3.2 cm [−5.5,−0.9]; p = 0.007), fasting plasma glucose (−0.23 mmol/L [−0.44,−0.02]; p = 0.032), physical quality of life (2.7 [0.7,4.6]; p = 0.007; Cohen’s effect size (d) = 0.40), musculoskeletal pain (−0.5 [−0.8,−0.2]; p = 0.003; d = 0.49), and body image (−0.2 [−0.4,−0.0]; p = 0.030; d = 0.31) than usual care. At 18 months, effects on weight, adiposity, and metabolic syndrome risk scores were sustained; however, significant reductions in lean mass were observed (−1.1 kg [−1.7,−0.4]; p < 0.001). This intervention led to sustained improvements in adiposity and metabolic syndrome risk.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 814-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Mirandola ◽  
Guido Miccinesi ◽  
Maria Grazia Muraca ◽  
Eleonora Sgambati ◽  
Marco Monaci ◽  
...  

Background:Physical activity interventions are known to be effective in improving the physical and psychological complaints of breast cancer survivors.Purpose:To investigate the impact of a specific exercise training program on upper limb mobility and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.Methods:The study included 55 women recruited at the Cancer Rehabilitation Centre in Florence after the completion of breast cancer treatment and rehabilitative physiotherapy. All participants underwent an 8-week specific exercise training to improve upper limb mobility function and quality of life. Anthropometric parameters were measured, and each subject underwent a battery of fitness tests to assess shoulder-arm mobility, range of motion, and back flexibility before and after specific exercise program. All participants filled out the Short Form-12 and numerical rating scale questionnaires to assess the quality of life and to quantify back and shoulder pain intensity.Results:The evaluation of shoulder-arm mobility and self-reported questionnaire data revealed a statistically significant improvement after completion of our specific exercise program.Conclusion:An organized specific program of adapted physical activity can be effective in reducing the main adverse effects of surgery and oncological therapy, and may significantly improve shoulder-arm mobility and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.


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