Abstract P2-12-03: A pilot study evaluating the benefits and feasibility of an exercise program for breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: Breast cancer chemotherapy is frequently associated with a decline in general physical condition, exercise tolerance, muscle strength and quality of life (QOL). Evidence suggests that physical activity and exercise interventions during chemotherapy treatment may contribute to maintaining QOL, cardiorespiratory fitness and strength, however the results of studies conducted to date have not been consistent. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of a structured, tailored exercise program involving both aerobic and resistance training, on QOL, physical function, and body composition in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Women who were within 4–12 weeks of surgery for stage I-III breast cancer and undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy, were randomized to either a structured exercise program (6 months) or to usual oncology care. Functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast cancer (FACT-B), and Short Form Survey (SF-36), weight, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, percent body fat, peak oxygen, strength and arm volume were performed at baseline, and 3-month intervals through 12 months. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months for all endpoints. The Wilcoxon Rank-sum Nonparametric test was applied for all Primary and Secondary endpoints with changing scores at each follow-up visit, p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. RESULTS: Of the recruited 62 women, 51 completed all 12 months. One patient developed metastatic disease and 10 others withdrew (4 in the exercise arm and 6 in the standard arm). Median age was 48 (24–75) years. There was a general trend of improvement from baseline for most components of the FACT-B and SF-36 for the exercise group but only the FACT-B social wellbeing was statistically significant at 3 months with a p = 0.0164. Changes in other FACT-B and SF-36 scores were not significantly different between exercise and usual care groups. There were significant improvements at 6 months in weight (p = 0.0192), % body fat (p = 0.0337), max strength (p = 0.0029), and waist circumference (0.0359) and at 12 months in weight (p = 0.0293), % body fat (p = 0.0481), max strength (p = 0.0097) and endurance (p = 0.0037) in the exercise group compared to usual care. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized prospective study suggests benefit of exercise during chemotherapy. This benefit continued 6 months beyond the completion of the exercise program with significant improvement in physical function, body composition, strength and endurance with no decline in quality of life. Regular moderate exercise may play an important role in improving function during adjuvant chemotherapy and should be further studied in a large randomized trial. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-03.