2023/11/27 by PEDRO ANTUNES, ANA JOAQUIM, FRANCISCO SAMPAIO +12
paper · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000003341
ABSTRACT Purpose To examine the effectiveness of a supervised exercise training program (SETP) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional capacity in women with breast cancer (BC) undergoing chemotherapy. Methods Ninety-three women with early-stage BC were randomly allocated to a SETP plus usual care (exercise, n = 47) or usual care alone (UC, n = 46). The SETP included three sessions per week, combining aerobic and resistance training, conducted concurrently over the chemotherapy. The EORTC Cancer Quality-of-Life-Questionnaire-Core-30 (QLQ-C30) and the BC-specific module (QLQ-BR23) were used to assess HRQoL. Functional capacity was analyzed by maximum voluntary handgrip strength (MVHS) and by the 30-s chair sit-to-stand test (30-s CST). These endpoints were assessed at baseline (t0); middle (t1; after 8 or 12 wk of t0); and at the end of chemotherapy (t2; after 20 wk of t0). Mean changes from baseline were assessed by an intention-to-treat approach. Results Mixed linear model analyses showed that Exercise group experienced less deterioration in several domains of QLQ-C30 at t2, including in global health status/QoL (Δ = 9.39 units; P = 0.034), QLQ-C30 summary score (Δ = 8.08 units; P P ( Δ = 21.81 units; P P = 0.032) and social functioning (Δ = 11.67 units; P = 0.038), compared with the UC group. Similarly, Exercise group exhibited significant lower levels of fatigue (Δ = −20.19 units; P P = 0.034), compared with the UC group. Significant between-group differences were observed on MVHS of the tumor/surgery upper limb side (Δ = 2.64 kg; P P P Conclusions Exercise training was an effective complementary therapy to prevent the deterioration of HRQoL and functional capacity during chemotherapy in women with early-stage BC.