Cancer Res Treat.  2025 Apr;57(2):478-491. 10.4143/crt.2024.758.

Kinect-Based Mixed Reality Exercise Program Improves Physical Function and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial

• Lim B
• Li X
• Sung Y
• Jamrasi P
• Ahn S
• Shin H
• Song W

• KMID: 2566865
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2024.758

Abstract

Purpose
Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological approach for alleviating treatment-related adverse effects and enhancing physical fitness in breast cancer survivors. A Kinect-based mixed reality device (KMR), with real-time feedback and user data collection, is an innovative exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of KMR exercise program on quality of life (QOL) and physical function in breast cancer survivors.
Materials and Methods
Seventy-seven participants were randomly assigned to either the KMR exercise group or home stretching group with an 8-week intervention. Physical function (shoulder range of motion, body composition, aerobic capacity, and hand grip strength) was evaluated before and after the intervention period. Participants completed questionnaires such as the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess upper extremity disabilities, QOL, and physical activity levels.
Results
Significant group-by-time interaction was found for flexion of the operated arm (154.3±12.5 to 165.8±11.2), and the non-operated arm (158.2±13.8 to 166.5±12.2), abduction of the non-operated arm (154.8±31.6 to 161.1±28.1), and adduction of the operated arm (46.5±9.1 to 52.6±7.2). Significant improvements were also observed in DASH (46.8±9.1 to 40.8±9.3) and IPAQ (1,136.3±612.8 to 1,287±664.1).
Conclusion
The KMR exercise program effectively improved the physical function, alleviated edema, reduced upper extremity disability, and enhanced the QOL in breast cancer survivors. Coupled with significant group-by-time interactions for various outcomes, the results emphasize the potential benefits of incorporating the KMR exercise program to improve the QOL in breast cancer survivors.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Exercise; Physical function; Kinect-based

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Kinect-based mixed reality device.

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  Fig. 2. Experimental design. QOL, quality of life; ROM, range of motion.

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  Fig. 3. Results of shoulder range of motion from pre- and post-test across the two groups. (A) Flexion operated arm. (B) Flexion non-operated arm. (C) Extension operated arm. (D) Extension non-operated arm. (E) Abduction operated arm. (F) Abduction non-operated arm. (G) Adduction operated arm. (H) Adduction non-operated arm. HS, home stretching group; KE, Kinect-based mixed reality device exercise group; SD, standard deviation. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance is used for statistical repeated ANOVA. +p < 0.05 for group effect #p < 0.05 and ###p < 0.001 for time effect; *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 for group-by-time interaction.

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  Fig. 4. Results of hand grip strength (HGS) and aerobic capacity from pre-test and post-test across the two groups: HGS (A) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (B). HS, home stretching group; KE, Kinect-based mixed reality device exercise group. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance is used for statistical repeated ANOVA. +p < 0.05 for group effect; #p < 0.05 for time effect.

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  Fig. 5. Results of questionnaire from pre- and post-test across the two groups: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) (A), Korean version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (K-DASH) (B), and Korean version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (K-IPAQ) (C). HS, home stretching group; KE, Kinect-based mixed reality device exercise group. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance is used for statistical repeated ANOVA. ##p < 0.01 for time effect; *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 for group-by-time interaction.

Reference

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