title: Effect of aerobic exercise on cancer-associated cognitive impairment: A proof-of-concept RCT.
abstract: Change in cognitive ability is a commonly reported adverse effect by breast cancer survivors. The underlying etiology of cognitive complaints is unclear and to date, there is limited evidence for effective intervention strategies. Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function in older adults and animal models treated with chemotherapy. This proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial tested the effect of aerobic exercise versus usual lifestyle on cognitive function in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  
  Women, aged 40 to 65 years, postmenopausal, stages I to IIIA breast cancer, and who self-reported cognitive dysfunction following chemotherapy treatment, were recruited and randomized to a 24-week aerobic exercise intervention (EX; n = 10) or usual lifestyle control (CON; n = 9). Participants completed self-report measures of the impact of cognitive issues on quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive version 3), objective neuropsychological testing, and functional magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 24 weeks.
  
  
  
  Compared to CON, EX had a reduced time to complete a processing speed test (trail making test-A) (-14.2 seconds, P < .01; effect size 0.35). Compared to CON, there was no improvement in self-reported cognitive function and effect sizes were small. Interestingly, lack of between-group differences in Stroop behavioral performance was accompanied by functional changes in several brain regions of interest in EX compared to CON at 24 weeks.
  
  
  
  These findings provide preliminary proof-of-concept results for the potential of aerobic exercise to improve cancer-related cognitive impairment and will serve to inform the development of future trials.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: K L
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2266-1382
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: J W Y
authors.initials: JWY
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Neil-Sztramko
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu Ambrose
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Handy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.|British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.|British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gotay
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Boyd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017698:Postmenopause; D000075082:Proof of Concept Study; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: breast cancer; cognitive function; exercise; intervention; survivorship