Effect of Tai Chi and Resistance Training on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Elderly Cancer Patients.
10.1007/s11655-021-3278-9
- Author:
Duan CHENG
1
;
Xuan WANG
1
;
Jie HU
1
;
Ling-Li DAI
1
;
Ying LV
1
;
Hui FENG
2
;
Yan ZHANG
3
;
Yan GUO
4
;
Lei WANG
5
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
2. Department of Rehabiliation Medicine, Nanjing Jiangning Hospital, Nanjing, 211101, China.
3. Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, 210009, China.
4. Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China. guoyan0314@126.com.
5. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. pitx3@163.com.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Tai chi;
cancer-related fatigue;
quality of life;
resistance training
- From:
Chinese journal of integrative medicine
2021;27(4):265-272
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Tai Chi (TC) and resistance training (RT) with different intensity on the cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QoL) of middle-aged and elderly cancer patients.
METHODS:Totally 120 cancer patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to 4 groups by a random number table, including TC group, high-intensity 60% one repetition maximum (1-RM) RT group (HIRT), low-intensity (30% 1-RM) RT group (LIRT) and control group, 30 patients in each group. Participants in the TC group received 24-form simplified Yang-style TC training at a frequency of 40 min per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Patients in the two RT groups received 10 sessions, 6 designated movements per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. The 1-RM of 6 muscle groups, fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), along with the scores of Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), QoL questionnaire for Chinese cancer patients receiving chemobiotherapy (QLQ-CCC), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were measured before and after training. The adverse effect was also observed.
RESULTS:After 12-week intervention, patients in both TC and RT groups showed significant improvements in CRF and QLQ-CCC compared to pre-treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the LIRT and TC groups, patients in the HIRT group improved more significantly in increasing muscle strength and LBM, and reducing in FM (P<0.05). Patients in the TC group significantly increased in lower limb muscle strength compared with the LIRT group (P<0.05). In addition, patients in the TC group showed more significant improvements in scores of GAD-7, PHQ-9 and PSQI than 2 RT groups (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:TC and RT, both low- and high-intensity training, can significantly increase muscle strength, reduce CRF and improve QoL in the middle-aged and elderly cancer patients. TC has a better effect than RT in terms of sleep quality and mental health. The long-term application is needed to substantiate the effect of TC as an alternative exercise in cancer patients.
