Yonsei Med J.  2008 Jun;49(3):443-450. 10.3349/ymj.2008.49.3.443.

Effects of Supervised Exercise Therapy in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

• Hwang JH
• Chang HJ
• Shim YH
• Park WH
• Park W
• Huh SJ
• Yang JH

• KMID: 724261
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2008.49.3.443

Abstract

PURPOSE
Postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer has a number of associated complications. This study examined whether supervised moderate-intensity exercise could mitigate the complications that occur during radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty women were randomized before radiotherapy after various operations for breast cancer. Seventeen patients who were assigned to the exercise group performed supervised moderate-intensity exercise therapy for 50 min 3 times per week for 5 weeks. Twenty-three patients in the control group were asked to perform self-shoulder stretching exercise. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), brief fatigue inventory (BFI), range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder, and pain score were assessed before and after radiotherapy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences noted at baseline between groups. In the exercise group, there was an increase in the WHOQOL-BREF and shoulder ROM and decrease in BFI and pain score after radiotherapy. On the other hand, patients in the control group showed decrease in the WHOQOL-BREF and shoulder ROM and increase in BFI and pain score after radiotherapy. There were statistically significant differences in the changes in the WHOQOL, BFI, shoulder ROM, and pain score between the groups. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer may benefit in physical and psychological aspects from supervised moderate-intensity exercise therapy.

Keyword

Breast cancer; exercise therapy; quality of life; radiotherapy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Breast Neoplasms/*radiotherapy/surgery/*therapy
Combined Modality Therapy
Exercise Therapy/adverse effects/*methods
Fatigue/etiology
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Pain Measurement
Quality of Life
Range of Motion, Articular
Shoulder/physiopathology
Treatment Outcome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Mean WHOQOL at baseline and after RT in the control and exercise group. *p < 0.05 compared change in mean WHOQOL in the control group and exercise group. RT, radiotherapy.

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  Fig. 2 Mean sum BFI at baseline and after RT in the control and exercise group. *p < 0.05 compared change in mean BFI in the control group and exercise group. BFI, brief fatigue inventory; RT, radiotherapy.

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  Fig. 3 Mean ROM of the shoulder at baseline and after RT in the control and exercise group. *p < 0.05 compared mean shoulder ROM in the control group and exercise group. ROM, range of motion; RT, radiotherapy.

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  Fig. 4 Mean VAS at baseline and after RT in the control and exercise group. *p < 0.05 compared change of mean VAS in the control group and exercise group. VAS, visual analog scale; RT, radiotherapy.

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