The effects of home-based exercise therapy for breast cancer-related fatigue induced by radical radiotherapy

Authors

Georgios Mavropalias, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Prue Cormie
Carolyn J. Peddle-McIntyre, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Daniel A. Galvão, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Dennis R. Taaffe, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Christelle Schofield, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Sharon Ray
Yvonne Zissiadis
Robert U. Newton, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Breast Cancer

PubMed ID

36239907

Publisher

Springer

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences / Exercise Medicine Research Institute

RAS ID

52915

Comments

Mavropalias, G., Cormie, P., Peddle-McIntyre, C. J., Galvão, D. A., Taaffe, D. R., Schofield, C., ... & Newton, R. U. (2022). The effects of home-based exercise therapy for breast cancer-related fatigue induced by radical radiotherapy. Breast Cancer, 30, 139–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-022-01408-3

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) can lead to cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this trial was to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a home-based resistance and aerobic exercise intervention for reducing CRF and improving HRQoL in breast cancer patients during RT. Methods: Women with breast cancer (N = 106) commencing RT were randomized to 12 weeks of home-based resistance and aerobic exercise (EX) or usual care/control (CON). The primary endpoint was CRF, with secondary endpoints of HRQoL, sleep duration and quality, and physical activity. Measurements were undertaken prior to RT, at completion of RT (~ 6 weeks), at completion of the intervention (12 weeks), and 6 and 12 months after RT completion, while CRF was also measured weekly during RT. Results: Eighty-nine women completed the study (EX = 43, CON = 46). Over the 12-week intervention, EX completed 1 – 2 resistance training sessions and accumulated 30–40 min of aerobic exercise weekly. For CRF, EX had a quicker recovery both during and post-RT compared to CON (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference in HRQoL between groups at RT completion, with HRQoL unchanged in CON and higher in EX (p < 0.05). There was no change in sleep duration or quality for either group and there were no exercise-related adverse effects. Conclusions: Home-based resistance and aerobic exercise during RT is safe, feasible, and effective in accelerating CRF recovery and improving HRQoL. Improvements in CRF and HRQoL for these patients can be achieved with smaller exercise dosages than stated in the generic recommendations for breast cancer.

DOI

10.1007/s12282-022-01408-3

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.