Fatigue mediates the effects of exercise on quality of life A pilot study of a supervised group exercise programme as a rehabilitation treatment for women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant treatment. Effects of Scheduled Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Women with Early Breast Cancer Effects of exercise interventions during different treatments in breast cancer. Five-year follow-up of participants in a randomised controlled trial showing benefits from exercise for breast cancer survivors during adjuvant treatment. Are there lasting effects? Exercise participation after diagnosis of breast cancer: trends and effects on mood and quality of life. Effects of a supervised exercise intervention on recovery from treatment regimens in breast cancer survivors. Psychological and fitness changes associated with exercise participation among women with breast cancer. Exercise and weight gain in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of progressive resistance training compared to progressive muscle relaxation in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy: the BEST study Systematic review of exercise effects on health outcomes in women with breast cancer. Randomized Controlled Trial of a Structured Training Program in Breast Cancer Patients with Tumor-Related Chronic Fatigue Do Yoga and Aerobic Exercise Training Have Impact on Functional Capacity, Fatigue, Peripheral Muscle Strength, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors? Exercise effects on bone mineral density in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Effects of a 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial of Aerobic or Resistance Exercise During and Following Cancer Treatment in Women Randomized trial of exercise therapy in women treated for breast cancer. The Impact of a Multidimensional Exercise Intervention on Physical and Functional Capacity, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy
Purpose : Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatment that impacts quality of life .  Exercise is one approach suggested to improve fatigue . The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of exercise to fatigue and quality of life . Methods : Thirty-one subjects with breast cancer were enrolled prior to beginning chemotherapy and 27 completed the study . All baseline measures were obtained before the first chemotherapy treatment . Subjects were instructed on a home-based , 8-week exercise program . Results : Women who adopted the exercise program ( 60 % ) showed significant increases in functional ability and less weight gain . Exploratory , stepwise multiple regression analyses suggested that the maximum effect of exercise on quality of life outcomes may be mediated by fatigue . Conclusions : The low-to-moderate intensity , home-based exercise program was feasible for some women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy .  The results suggest that exercise may affect quality of life and that this effect may be mediated by the effects of exercise on fatigue . Better retention of functional ability and better weight control are additional possible benefits of exposing breast cancer patients to increased exercise . A r and omized , controlled clinical trial is needed to establish confidence in these observed relationships This pilot study examined whether exercise as an adjunctive rehabilitation therapy could benefit women who have early stage breast cancer and are currently receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy . The study was design ed as a r and omised controlled trial ( RCT ) . Physical functioning , fatigue and Quality of Life ( QoL ) outcomes were evaluated pre and post a 12-week intervention . The results showed that after 12 weeks the women who participated in the exercise programme ( n = 12 ) displayed significantly higher levels of physical functioning and reported higher QoL scores than the controls ( n = 10 ) . Changes in fatigue and satisfaction with life favoured the intervention group but did not reach significance . These results are encouraging and suggest that a structured group exercise programme during adjuvant treatment is a safe , well tolerated and effective way of providing physical and psychological health benefits to women during treatment for early stage breast cancer . Since this was a pilot study the numbers did not allow appropriately powered analyses of some variables of interest and favoured relatively young and socio-economically advantaged women . Future studies need to address these issues and determine if these short-term benefits can be sustained 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 r and omized 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 can not rule out that results reflect diminishing treatment side effects over time Previous findings suggest that exercise is a safe and efficacious means of improving physiological and psychosocial outcomes in female breast cancer survivors . To date , most research has focused on post-treatment interventions . However , given that the type and severity of treatment-related adverse effects may be dependent on the type of treatment , and that the effects are substantially more pronounced during treatment , an assessment of the safety and efficacy of exercise during treatment is warranted . In this review , we present and evaluate the results of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) conducted during breast cancer treatment . We conducted literature search es to identify studies examining exercise interventions in breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiation .  Data were extracted on physiological and psychosocial outcomes . Cohen 's d effect sizes were calculated for each outcome . A total of 17 studies involving 1,175 participants undergoing active cancer therapy met the inclusion criteria . Findings revealed that , on average , exercise interventions result ed in moderate to large improvements in muscular strength : resistance exercise ( RE , 𝑑 = 0.86 ) , aerobic exercise  ( AE , 𝑑 = 0.55 ) , small to moderate improvements in cardiovascular functioning ( RE , 𝑑 = 0.45 ; AE , 𝑑 = 0.17 , combination exercise ( COMB , 𝑑 = 0.31 ) and quality of life ( QoL ; RE , 𝑑 = 0.30 ; AE , 𝑑 = 0.50 ; COMB , 𝑑 = 0.63 ) . The results of this review suggest that exercise is a safe , feasible , and efficacious intervention in breast cancer patients who are undergoing different types of treatment . Additional research addressing the different modes of exercise during each type of treatment is warranted to assess the comparable efficacy of the various exercise modes during established breast cancer treatments Purpose In an earlier r and omised controlled trial , we showed that early stage breast cancer patients who received a supervised exercise programme , with discussion of behaviour change techniques , had psychological and functional benefits 6 months after the intervention . The purpose of this study was to determine if benefits observed at 6 months persisted 18 and 60 months later . Methods Women who were in the original trial were contacted at 18 and 60 months after intervention . Original measures were repeated . Results Of the 148 women from the original study who agreed to be contacted again , 114 attended for follow-up at 18 months and 87 at 60 months . Women in the original intervention group reported more leisure time physical activity and more positive moods at 60 months than women in the original control group . Irrespective of original group allocation , women who were more active consistently reported lower levels of depression and increased quality of life compared to those who were less active . Conclusions We have shown that there are lasting benefits to an exercise intervention delivered during treatment to breast cancer survivors . Regular activity should be encouraged for women with early stage breast cancer as this can have lasting implication s for physical and psychological functioning Individuals treated for cancer often experience higher levels of emotional distress than the general population . Previous research has shown that exercise can have an ameliorating effect on these problems . This 12-month prospect i ve longitudinal study investigated mood , quality of life , cancer-related symptoms , and exercise behavior of 69 women who had completed treatment for Stage 0 - 2 breast cancer . We studied the natural progression of exercise participation after cancer treatment . Effects on mood , quality of life , and cancer-related symptoms were assessed after controlling for demographic variables , disease variables , social support , and baseline values to test the hypothesis that women who exercised were more likely to report better mood , higher quality of life , and fewer cancer-related symptoms . Results indicated that women did not increase their  exercise participation over time and that overall mean minutes of exercise participation were below recommended levels . Baseline demographic predictors of exercise participation included younger age , having a spouse or partner , increased time since diagnosis , higher social support , and higher depression .  Exercise participation was associated with improved physical functioning , but not overall mood or cancer-related symptoms . We discuss implication s of these findings towards the well-being of breast cancer survivors PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of supervised exercise training on cardiopulmonary function and fatigue in cancer survivors undergoing various clinical treatments . DESIGN Pretest and post-test quasiexperimental . SETTING Outpatient oncology rehabilitation center . SAMPLE 96 breast cancer survivors undergoing various clinical treatments . METHODS Subjects were divided into four groups based on the specific type of clinical treatment : surgery alone ( n = 22 ) ; surgery and chemotherapy ( n = 30 ) ; surgery and radiation ( n = 17 ) ; and surgery , chemotherapy , and radiation ( n = 27 ) . Following a comprehensive screening and medical examination , cardiovascular endurance , pulmonary function , and fatigue were assessed , leading to the development of an individualized exercise prescription and a six-month exercise intervention . Repeated- measures analysis of variance and covariance were used to compare the effectiveness of the intervention and differences among treatment groups . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Systolic and diastolic blood pressure , resting heart rate , forced vital capacity , forced expiratory volume , predicted oxygen consumption , time on treadmill , and fatigue . FINDINGS Cardiopulmonary function ( predicted maximal oxygen consumption and time on treadmill ) significantly increased in all groups after exercise training . In addition , resting heart rate and forced vital capacity significantly improved in those receiving surgery , chemotherapy , and radiation . Psychologically , the exercise intervention result ed in significant reductions in behavioral , affective , sensory , cognitive and mood , and total fatigue scale scores in all three groups who received treatment with surgery . The breast cancer survivors in the surgery-alone group showed significant reductions in behavioral , affective , and total fatigue scale scores but not in sensory and cognitive and mood fatigue scale scores . CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that moderate intensity , individualized , prescriptive exercise maintains or improves cardiopulmonary function with concomitant reductions in fatigue regardless of treatment type . Moreover , cancer survivors receiving combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy following surgery appear to benefit to a greater extent as a result of an individualized exercise intervention . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING Clinicians need to be aware of adjuvant therapies such as moderate exercise that attenuate negative side effects of cancer treatments . Symptom management recommendations should be given to cancer survivors concerning the effectiveness of exercise throughout the cancer continuum and the importance of participating in a cancer rehabilitation exercise program Exercise participation has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce psychological distress  among women receiving chemotherapy and /or radiation . The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the changes in distress and body image , and fitness following exercise participation among 24 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous 3 years . The women were r and omly assigned to participate in a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise program in a hospital setting or a wait-list control group . Assessment s of distress and body image were conducted at pre- and post-treatment . Data showed that the women in the exercise group improved significantly in body image ( Physical Condition and Weight Concerns subscales ) vs control group participants at post-treatment . Reductions in distress were also noted in the exercise group , but these were nonsignificant . At post-treatment , there were modest improvements in fitness in the exercise group PURPOSE Weight gain is a common side effect for women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy  and may have negative long-term implication s for survival . The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on weight gain in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy .  DESCRIPTION OF STUDY Seventy-eight women who had recently received a diagnosis of breast cancer and who were beginning adjuvant chemotherapy  were enrolled in a home-based exercise study during the first four cycles of chemotherapy .  Weight change , body mass index , anorexia , nausea , fatigue , caloric expenditure during exercise , and functional ability were recorded . RESULTS Women who adhered to the exercise program maintained their body weight , while nonexercisers steadily gained weight ( P < .05 ) . There were no differences in incidence or intensity of nausea or anorexia between the exercisers and nonexercisers . Women who exercised over the four cycles of chemotherapy improved their functional ability ( mean 23 % ) compared to the nonexercisers who showed significant declines in functional ability ( mean -15 % ) . CLINICAL IMPLICATION S Exercise may be an effective intervention to minimize weight gain in women with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant chemotherapy .  Preventing weight gain in these patients may be important in preventing recurrent disease and other comorbidities associated with excess weight Background Cancer-related fatigue ( CRF ) is one of the most common and distressing side effects of cancer and its treatment . During and after radiotherapy breast cancer patients often suffer from CRF which frequently impairs quality of life ( QoL ) . Despite the high prevalence of CRF in breast cancer patients and the severe impact on the physical and emotional well-being , effective treatment methods are scarce . Physical activity for breast cancer patients has been reported to decrease fatigue , to improve emotional well-being and to increase physical strength . The pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms of CRF and the molecular-biologic changes induced by exercise , however , are poorly understood . In the BEST trial we aim to assess the effects of resistance training on fatigue , QoL and physical fitness as well as on molecular , immunological and inflammatory changes in breast cancer patients during adjuvant radiotherapy . Methods / design The BEST study is a prospect i ve r and omized , controlled intervention trial investigating the effects of a 12-week supervised progressive resistance training compared to a 12-week supervised muscle relaxation training in 160 patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy .  To determine the effect of exercise itself beyond potential psychosocial group effects , patients in the control group perform a group-based progressive muscle relaxation training . Main inclusion criterion is histologically confirmed breast cancer stage I-III after lumpectomy or mastectomy with indication for adjuvant radiotherapy . Main exclusion criteria are acute infectious diseases , severe neurological , musculosceletal or cardiorespiratory disorders . The primary endpoint is cancer-related fatigue ; secondary endpoints include immunological and inflammatory parameters analyzed in peripheral blood , saliva and urine . In addition , QoL , depression , physical performance and cognitive capacity will be assessed . Discussion The BEST study is the first r and omized controlled trial comparing progressive resistance training with muscle relaxation training in breast cancer patients during adjuvant radiotherapy . Based on the analysis of physiological , immunological and inflammatory parameters it will contribute to a better underst and ing of the physiological and psychosocial effects and the biological mechanisms of resistance training . The ultimate goal is the implementation of optimized intervention programs to reduce fatigue , improve quality of life and potentially the prognosis after breast cancer . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov PURPOSE Exercise is commonly recommended to women after breast cancer surgery , yet it is difficult for patients and health professionals to adopt safe and beneficial types and modes of exercise . Thus studies on exercise interventions targeting women with breast cancer treatment were systematic ally review ed . METHODS The review process and quality assessment of the studies followed the guideline of the National Evidence -based Healthcare Collaborating Agency . Relevant studies were obtained from electronic data bases , and two trained review ers independently analyzed the studies . Of the 902 articles sorted , 11 were selected . Then , quality assessment for each study was carried out with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network ( SIGN ) checklist . RESULTS Seven different types of  exercise interventions were identified from 3 quasi-experimental and 8 r and omized controlled trial studies . The interventions varied in duration from several days to 13 weeks , and tended to show significant effects on psychological outcomes and upper body functions within a short-term period and were effective in alleviating lymphedema at a longer 1-year point . Supervised , professional intervention had significant effects on health indicators and a higher adherence rate . CONCLUSION Well- design ed exercises are effective and beneficial for improving women 's physical , physiological , and psychological health outcomes after breast cancer treatment as well as to facilitate changes in exercise behaviors . The feasibility of applying intervention protocol s , efficiency of interventions , and strengths of exercise protocol s should be further examined Cancer-related fatigue is the most disabling symptom experienced by breast cancer patients following the cancer treatment . The positive effects of physical activity in the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients are documented in several studies . In a r and omized controlled study the effects of a structured physical training program on fatigue and health-related quality of life were evaluated . Patients and Methods : 63 breast cancer patients with cancer-related chronic fatigue were r and omized at the beginning of the inpatient rehabilitation . The control group received the st and ard complex rehabilitation program , the intervention group a structured physical training program and additional muscle strength and aerobic exercises . The effects of the treatment were evaluated by question naires at the start of rehabilitation ( t1 ) , end of rehabilitation ( t2 ) , and 3 months after t2 ( t3 ) . Isometric muscle strength and aerobic capacity were evaluated at t1 and t2 . Results : There was an improvement of muscle strength at the end of rehabilitation for both groups . The increase from t1 to t2 was significantly higher for the training group . The scores for global quality of life , physical well-being , and functionality increased from t1 to t2 , but further improvement in the follow-up ( t3 ) was only observed in the training group . The cancer-related fatigue was significantly reduced in the training group from t1 to t3 , however , not in the control group . Conclusions : Structured physical training programs initiated during inpatient rehabilitation and continuously practice d in the time thereafter can improve symptoms of chronic fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients Aim . The aim of the study was to compare the effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga on the functional capacity , peripheral muscle strength , quality of life ( QOL ) , and fatigue in breast cancer survivors . Material and methods . A total of 52 patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer were included in the study . The patients were r and omly assigned to 2 groups : aerobic exercise ( n = 28 ) and yoga added to aerobic exercise ( n = 24 ) . Both groups participated in submaximal exercise 30 minutes/d , 3 d/wk for 6 weeks . The second group participated in a 1-hour yoga program in addition to aerobic exercise training .  Functional capacity was assessed by the 6-Minute Walk Test ( 6MWT ) . Peripheral muscle strength was evaluated with a h and -held dynamometer . The fatigue severity level was assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale ( FSS ) . The QOL was determined by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Question naire . Results . There were statistically significant increases in peripheral muscle strength , the 6MWT distance , and the perception of QOL in both groups ( P < .05 ) . Additionally , the group with aerobic exercise and yoga showed marked improvement compared with the aerobic exercise group in fatigue perception ( P < .05 ) . Conclusion . According to the data from this study , aerobic exercise training and yoga improved the functional capacity and QOL of breast cancer patients .  Aerobic exercise programs can be supported by body mind techniques , such as yoga , in the rehabilitation of cancer patients for improving functional recovery and psychosocial wellness PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To test the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on changes in bone mineral density ( BMD ) in women newly diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer receiving chemotherapy . DESIGN R and omized clinical trial . SETTING Two National Cancer Institute- design ated cancer centers in metropolitan areas . SAMPLE 66 women with stage I-III breast cancer beginning adjuvant chemotherapy .  METHODS Participants were r and omized to aerobic or resistance exercise and usual care . At the beginning of chemotherapy and at six months , patients completed exercise testing and BMD assessment of the lumbar spine by dual energy x-ray absorptionetry . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES BMD , aerobic capacity , and muscle strength . FINDINGS The average decline in BMD was -6.23 % for usual care , -4.92 % for resistance exercise , and -0.76 % for aerobic exercise . Aerobic exercise preserved BMD significantly better compared to usual care . Premenopausal women demonstrated significantly greater declines in BMD than postmenopausal women .  Aerobic capacity increased by almost 25 % for women in the aerobic exercise group and 4 % for resistance exercise . Participants in the usual care group showed a 10 % decline in aerobic capacity . CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that weight-bearing aerobic exercise attenuates declines in BMD and that aerobic and resistance exercise improve aerobic capacity and muscle strength at a time when women generally show marked declines in functional ability . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING Exercise may prevent or at least minimize bone loss observed during chemotherapy and may prevent or delay the long-term effects of osteoporosis Abstract Weight gain is common during and following cancer treatment and contributes to many adverse health consequences and increased risk of recurrence for cancer survivors . The purpose of this longitudinal r and omized controlled trial was to compare differences in weight change and body composition among newly diagnosed cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy who were r and omly assigned to usual care control , aerobic exercise , or resistance exercise interventions .  It was hypothesized that cancer survivors become more sedentary during treatment , leading to positive energy balance that in turn worsens body composition . One hundred one subjects completed the 12-month study . Data collected included body composition ( body weight and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan ) , aerobic capacity ( 12-minute walk ) , and muscle strength ( 1 repetition maximum ) . Aerobic exercisers were found to have significant improvements in body composition , aerobic capacity , and muscle strength . Resistance exercisers also benefitted , but were less compliant with the intervention over time . Thus , exercise during and following cancer treatment is an important intervention to maintain and perhaps improve body composition of cancer survivors , which may improve survival , reduce comorbidities , and improve quality of life PURPOSE To examine the effects of aerobic exercise therapy on quality of life ( QoL ) and associated outcomes in women treated for breast cancer . Evidence suggests that exercise may be beneficial , but no trial has included an exercise-placebo and a usual-care group to control for the attention effects that might be associated with aerobic exercise interventions in cancer patients . PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 108 women who had been treated for breast cancer 12 to 36 months previously were r and omly assigned to supervised aerobic exercise therapy ( n = 34 ) , exercise-placebo ( body conditioning ; n = 36 ) , or usual care ( n = 38 ) . Exercise therapy and exercise-placebo sessions took place three times per week for 8 weeks . Outcomes included QoL , depression , exercise behavior , aerobic fitness ; outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the 8- and 24-week follow-up . RESULTS Analyses of covariance revealed a significant mean difference of 9.8 units in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General ( primary outcome ) favoring aerobic exercise therapy at 8 weeks , relative to usual care . Significant differences that favored aerobic exercise therapy relative to usual care were recorded for Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast , social/family well-being , functional well-being , and breast cancer subscale scores at 8-week follow-up . Psychological health outcomes improved modestly for both intervention groups ; these improvements were sustained for several end points . CONCLUSION Exercise therapy had large , clinical ly meaningful , short-term beneficial effects on QoL in women treated for breast cancer ; this finding can not be attributable to attention , given that the exercise-placebo group did not report similar effects relative to usual care Introduction . Patients with advanced-stage lung cancer face poor survival and experience co-occurring chronic physical and psychosocial symptoms . Despite several years of research in exercise oncology , few exercise studies have targeted advanced lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy . The aim of the present study was to investigate the benefits of a 6-week supervised group exercise intervention and to outline the effect on aerobic capacity , strength , health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) , anxiety , and depression . Methods . VO2peak was assessed using an incremental exercise test .  Muscle strength  was measured with one repetition maximum test ( 1RM ) . HRQoL , anxiety , and depression were assessed using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Lung ( FACT-L ) scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) . Results . One hundred and forthteen patients with advanced stage lung cancer were recruited . Forty-three patients dropped out . No serious adverse events were reported . Exercise adherence in the group training was 68 % . Improvements in VO2peak ( P < .001 ) and 6-minute walk distance ( P < .001 ) and muscle strength measurements ( P < .05 ) were seen . There was a reduction in anxiety level ( P = .0007 ) and improvement in the emotional well-being parameter ( FACT-L ) but no statistically significant changes in HRQoL were observed . Conclusion . The results of the present study show that during a 6-week hospital-based supervised , structured , and group-based exercise program , patients with advanced-stage lung cancer ( NSCLC IIIb-IV , ED-SCLC ) improve their physical capacity ( VO2peak , 1RM ) , functional capacity , anxiety level , and emotional well-being , but not their overall HRQoL. A r and omized controlled trial testing the intervention including 216 patients is currently being carried out
There is evidence that exercise , such as low intensity aerobics walking , Tai Chi , or cycling , results in an overall decrease in fatigue levels over the course of cancer treatment .
Additionally , there is evidence that regular physical activity or exercise can decrease emotional stress , blood pressure , the duration of neutropenia , thrombocytopenia , and pain .
Exercise also has been shown to increase quality of life and improve the maximal oxygen uptake during exertion , sleep patterns , and cognition .
Disease and cancer treatment-related side effects such as decreased energy level , muscle weakness , and declines in functional status and body mass have been well documented .
However , the majority of studies of exercise and cancer have been conducted with women with early stage breast cancer , limiting the generalizability of these studies to other cancer population s. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a synthesis of the extant research evidence about th e benefits of exercise related to cancer recovery