Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Peak Aerobic Capacity, Fatigue, and Psychological Factors During Radiation for Breast Cancer

Rehabilitation Oncology, 2005 by Drouin, Jacqueline S, Armstrong, Holly, Krause, Shawn, Orr, Jennifer, Et al

Of interest was that, although not statistically significant, all of the remaining subscale factors in the AE group improved following the intervention. The failure of this study to find significant improvements in these subscale factors was most likely related to the small sample size which compromised the power of this study. The effect sizes for changes in these remaining variables was small to moderate (.11 to .68), therefore, a sample of 45 to 50 subjects in each group is recommended for adequate statistical power and to avoid Type II errors in future investigations on this topic.22

This study did find significant improvements in the PS group on R-PFS cognitive-mood and on POMS confusion-bewilderment. These factors did not, however, correlate to changes in peak VO^sub 2^ and therefore improvements on these factors may have been related to the attention these subjects received throughout the study. Participants in the PS group did report that the stretching activities relaxed tight muscles after radiation treatments and compliance to the flexibility protocol was high, therefore a future investigation on the effects of stretching activities that included measures of range of motion and posture may provide future insights.

CONCLUSION

The data from this pilot study found that moderate intensity aerobic exercise performed during radiation for breast cancer is sufficiently effective for causing physiological training effects by increasing peak aerobic capacity and therefore, improving physical function. In addition, women in the aerobic training group experienced significant improvements in mood subscale factors of anger-hostility and depression-dejection, as well as the fatigue factor of affective meaning. Further, women in the nontraining group experienced a significant worsening in the fatigue sensory subscale factor, which relates to the physical severity of their fatigue, while this measure did not significantly change in women in the training group. Finally, the significant correlations found between changes in peak VO^sub 2^ and POMS tension-anxiety, anger-hostility, and depression-dejection, as well as the R-PFS sensory factor support a relationship between improving physical function through aerobic training and these factors of mood and fatigue during this time.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of this study, aerobic exercise training is recommended as an effective method for physical therapists and health care professionals to prescribe for women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer in order to promote physical function and relieve certain factors of fatigue and psychological distress related to their treatment. Proper evaluation and training guidelines should be followed to assure safe and effective training sessions.24 Further studies are recommended on this phenomenon using larger samples, and including other cancer diagnoses and other cancer treatments to expand the knowledge base on exercise training during treatment for cancer.