Abstract
BackgroundMany breast cancer survivors (BCS) report deficits in cognitive function. Physical activity (PA) has been associated with better processing speed and memory in healthy adults and thus may be a useful method for improving cognition in BCS. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an acute bout of PA on processing speed and spatial working memory in a sample of BCS.MethodsUsing a repeated measures, crossover design, BCS [N = 27; Mage (SD) = 49.11(8.05)] completed two sessions in counterbalanced order: 30 min of moderate-intensity treadmill walking and 30 min of seated rest. Women completed cognitive tasks immediately before and after each session.ResultsWithin-subjects repeated measures analyses of variance revealed a significant time by session effect for processing speed reaction time [F (1,25) = 5.02, p = .03, η2 = 0.17]. This interaction was driven by significantly reduced reaction time (e.g., faster response) post-exercise and no change post-rest. Further between-subjects analyses indicated a significant time by session by moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) split [F (1,25) = 5.23, p = .03, η2 = 0.17], such that women who engaged in ≥45 min of average daily MVPA reduced their reaction time post-exercise (p = .01) and increased RT post-rest (p = .06). Time by session effects for spatial working memory 3-item accuracy and 4-item reaction time trended towards significance, p = 0.08 and p = 0.10, respectively, again driven by better performance post-exercise.ConclusionsThe moderate effect of acute exercise on domains of memory and processing speed in BCS is encouraging. Cancer-related cognitive impairment remains largely misunderstood; however, the results from the present study offer preliminary evidence for the positive relationship between acute exercise and cognition in BCS.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02592070. Registered 30 October 2015. Retroactively registered.
Highlights
Many breast cancer survivors (BCS) report deficits in cognitive function
The primary aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a 30-min moderate-intensity aerobic exercise session on processing speed and spatial working memory compared with 30 min of quiet, seated rest in breast cancer survivors
Processing speed Our initial analyses comparing the differential effects of exercise and rest on processing speed revealed a significant time by session interaction for reaction time [F (1,25) = 5.02, p = .03, η2 = 0.17], such that participants were significantly faster from pre- to
Summary
Many breast cancer survivors (BCS) report deficits in cognitive function. Physical activity (PA) has been associated with better processing speed and memory in healthy adults and may be a useful method for improving cognition in BCS. The act of holding information in one’s mind and manipulating it, and processing speed, the speed with which one interprets information [10], have both been identified as important determinants of long-term survival in cancer survivors [11,12,13]. These are the Salerno et al BMC Cancer (2019) 19:371 same cognitive processes most commonly reported by survivors to be negatively affected throughout their cancer experience [14]. There’s a burgeoning need to identify effective and low-cost methods for improving cognitive and brain health in this cancer cohort to improve quality of life during survivorship
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