title: The effects of pole walking on arm lymphedema and cardiovascular fitness in women treated for breast cancer: a pilot and feasibility study.
abstract: The benefit of exercise for breast cancer-treated women is well documented. However, studies of cardiovascular fitness training for women with breast cancer-related arm lymphedema are rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intensive pole walking on arm lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer. Thirty-five women with unilateral lymphedema were included and twenty-three completed an eight-week exercise intervention consisting of pole walking 3-5 times per week, for 30-60 min, at 70%-80% of their maximum heart rate, preceded by a two-week control period. Measurements of arm lymphedema (water displacement method), body weight, cardiovascular fitness (sub-maximal bicycle ergometer test) and subjective assessments (disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire; heaviness and tightness using a visual analogue scale (VAS); and well-being) were performed before the control period and before and after the exercise intervention. The results indicated a significant reduction in total arm volume of the lymphedema arm (p = 0.001), in lymphedema absolute volume (p = 0.014) and lymphedema relative volume (p = 0.015). Significant decreases of heart rate (p = 0.004), DASH score (p = 0.053) and rating of tightness in the arm (p = 0.043) were found. Positive and negative influences on well-being were reported. The conclusion of this study is that pole walking is feasible for breast cancer-treated women with arm lymphedema.
authors.affiliation: Lymphedema Unit, Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital , Lund , Sweden and.
authors.forename: Charlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001835:Body Weight; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002183:Canes; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking