Abstract

Current evidence suggests that physical activity interventions can improve quality of life, fitness, and strength, reducing depression and fatigue in breast cancer survivors. However, in the long-term many survivors are insufficiently active. Here, the possible long-term benefits of a specific adapted physical activity (APA) intervention on upper limb functional performance and quality of life in breast cancer survivors were investigated. For this purpose, fifteen survivors were assessed by fitness tests (shoulder-arm mobility, range of motion, back flexibility) at the baseline and at eight weeks post-APA intervention. Quality of life and surgical shoulder and back pain intensity were evaluated by Short Form-12 and numerical rating scale questionnaires, respectively. Five participants, who continued to follow the APA protocol over time, were again evaluated after two years and compared to either five women who were inactive or five others who practiced general physical activity after ending the eight-week APA protocol. Shoulder-arm mobility and self-reported questionnaire data revealed the maintenance and/or improvement of the achieved benefits two years after the APA intervention. Our findings suggest that the long-term practice of APA tailored to individual characteristics should be recommended to breast cancer survivors in order to preserve quality of life and fitness.

Highlights

  • Breast cancer is currently the neoplasm with the highest incidence among women worldwide though the number of survivors is constantly increasing with progressive improvement in treatment strategies [1,2]

  • We further investigated the possible long-term benefits of our specific adapted physical activity (APA) intervention on upper limb motor function and quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors in comparison with either physically inactive survivors or survivors practicing general physical activity after ending the specific APA protocol

  • We investigated, for the first time, the possible long-term benefits of a speIcnifitcheAPpAreisnetnetrvsetundtiyon, wone uinpvpeesrtilgimatbedfu, nfoctriotnhael fpiresrtfotrimmaen, ctheeanpdosQsoibLleinlobnrega-tsetrcmanbceernseufirtvsivoof ras. sIpnepciafricticAuPlaAr,inwteercvoemntpioanreodntuwpop-eyrelairmfbolfluonwctuiopndalaptaerffroormmawnocme aenndwQhooLcionnbtrineausetdcatoncperrascutircveivAoPrsA

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Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is currently the neoplasm with the highest incidence among women worldwide though the number of survivors is constantly increasing with progressive improvement in treatment strategies [1,2]. The main complications of breast cancer treatment can reduce the strength of the upper limb, range of motion (ROM) of the arm and shoulder, create pain, produce or exacerbate emotional disturbances (i.e., anxiety, depression), and alter body image with a consequent reduction in the quality of life (QoL) [2,3]. Breast cancer is continuing to emerge as a major health issue as testified by the large number of studies on health-related QoL in survivors [4]. International evidence-based physical activity guidelines recommend exercise programs as a conditional part of care for all cancer survivors [5]. Well-planned and structured physical activity, tailored to individual needs, has emerged as a viable intervention to attenuate and improve cancer- and treatment-related problems [6,7]

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