Effects of a 4-Week Multimodal Rehabilitation Program on Quality of Life, Cardiopulmonary Function, and Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients.
- Author:
Junghwa DO
1
;
Youngki CHO
;
Jaeyong JEON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Fatigue; Quality of life; Rehabilitation
- MeSH: Arm; Breast; Breast Neoplasms*; Drug Therapy; Dyspnea; Electroencephalography; Exercise; Fatigue*; Humans; Nausea; Oxygen Consumption; Quality of Life*; Rehabilitation*; Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer 2015;18(1):87-96
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: This study examines the effects of a rehabilitation program on quality of life (QoL), cardiopulmonary function, and fatigue in breast cancer patients. The program included aerobic exercises as well as stretching and strengthening exercises. METHODS: Breast cancer patients (n=62) who had completed chemotherapy were randomly assigned to an early exercise group (EEG; n=32) or a delayed exercise group (DEG; n=30). The EEG underwent 4 weeks of a multimodal rehabilitation program for 80 min/day, 5 times/wk for 4 weeks. The DEG completed the same program during the next 4 weeks. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), predicted maximal volume of oxygen consumption (VO2max), and fatigue severity scale (FSS) were used for assessment at baseline, and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, statistically significant differences were apparent in global health, physical, role, and emotional functions, and cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue and pain, nausea, and dyspnea on the EORTC QLQ-C30; cancer-related symptoms involving the arm and breast on the EORTC QLQ-BR23; the predicted VO2max; muscular strength; and FSS (p<0.050), according to time, between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that a supervised multimodal rehabilitation program may improve the physical symptoms, QoL, and fatigue in patients with breast cancer.
