title: Effects of scheduled exercise on cancer-related fatigue in women with early breast cancer.
abstract: 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 randomized 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 cannot rule out that results reflect diminishing treatment side effects over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne Marie Lunde
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Husebø
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Sports Science, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Sindre Mikal
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dyrstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingvil
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mjaaland
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway ; University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Jon Arne
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Søreide
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioural Research in Education, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Edvin
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2004-6957
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bru
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness