Women's perceptions of home-based exercise performed during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

Barriers to and facilitators of improving physical activity and nutrition behaviors during chemotherapy for breast cancer: a sequential mixed methods study

PURPOSE

Use qualitative and quantitative methods to explore factors influencing the adoption of guideline-based physical activity (PA) and dietary recommendations among participants enrolled in a lifestyle intervention during and after chemotherapy for breast cancer.

METHODS

Among women with stage I-III breast cancer who participated in the intervention arm of the Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition early after diagnosis (LEANer) trial, we used stratified, purposeful sampling to interview women who met both, one, or neither intervention goal after the 1-year intervention: (1) 150 min/week moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise via a self-reported PA questionnaire and (2) improved self-reported diet quality measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2015. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

The 29 women interviewed were 52 ± 11 years old on average, with a mean body mass index of 29.6 ± 7.7 kg/m2. Three themes emerged regarding aspects of the LEANer intervention that facilitated behavior change: (1) providing a conduit of trustworthy, timely, and personalized support and education; (2) shifting mindsets and enhanced understanding of the benefits of PA and nutrition during chemotherapy; and (3) fostering a sense of control and alternative focus. Factors described as hindering adoption of goals included: (1) adverse effects of chemotherapy and (2) competing priorities.

CONCLUSIONS

Women reported the external support, tailored education, and experiencing the physical and mental benefits of the LEANer intervention facilitated the adoption of the interventions' behavioral goals. Addressing chemotherapy-related symptoms and competing priorities may facilitate adherence to lifestyle interventions during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

[Self-sense and experiences of physical activity in breast cancer survivors: Qualitative evidence synthesis]

Breast cancer has a high incidence rate and a negative impact on women's lives. The practice of physical activity (PA) has shown strong evidence in controlling the side effects associated with the disease and its treatment. However, having an active lifestyle is influenced by socio-health inequities. The objective was to analyze the categories related to the meanings and perceived experiences with PA in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Protocol https://osf.io/7fwbs/. Articles describing the meanings of PA in BCS published after 2010 were included. Fourteen articles were analyzed using line-by-line coding. The emerging categories were: 1)PA as a strategy to re-signify and empower the body. 2)Cancer means a change in PA trajectories. 3)PA is a tool for a healthy and functional body in everyday life.

Qualitative exploration of the perceptions of exercise in patients with cancer initiated during chemotherapy: a meta-synthesis

OBJECTIVE

To synthesise qualitative literature on (1) the perceptions of patients with cancer of participating in an exercise intervention while undergoing chemotherapy and (2) to inform and guide professionals in oncology and haematology practice.

DESIGN

A qualitative meta-synthesis based on Noblit and Hare's seven-step meta-ethnography.

DATA SOURCES

Six electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, SCI-Expanded-SSCI and Scopus (final search June 2022) were used to identify qualitative literature containing individual or focus group interviews. The transparency of reporting for each study was assessed using the Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist.

RESULTS

The search identified 5002 articles, 107 of which were selected for full-text review. Seventeen articles from five countries with patients undergoing chemotherapy during exercise interventions were included. Eleven articles were included in the meta-synthesis, which comprised 193 patients with various cancer diagnoses, disease stages, sexes and ages. Four main themes were identified: chemotherapy overpowers the body; exercise in battle with side effects; a break from gloomy thoughts; and a question of survivorship.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The meta-synthesis emphasised that patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and simultaneously participating in exercise interventions may experience momentary relief from overwhelming side effects, even though full bodily recovery may be perceived as a distant prospect. The synthesis offers a sparse empirical basis for gaining insight into what patients experience existentially following exercise interventions. It is up to patients to independently apply the transfer value of exercise to their own existential circumstances.

Barriers and facilitators for weight management interventions in breast cancer patients: a systematic review of qualitative studies

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies provides an overview of barriers and facilitators that breast cancer patients experience in weight management interventions.

METHODS

We included qualitative studies describing barriers and facilitators for weight management interventions as experienced by adult breast cancer patients after the completion of initial treatment . The data was extracted and using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

After analysis, eleven themes were determined. Six of those themes could be linked to the Attitude, Social Influence and self Efficacy (ASE)-model. Physical and mental benefits, anticipated regret and a lack of motivation were linked to attitude. Integrating a weight management programme in daily life, stigma and fears were linked to self-efficacy. With regard to the social influence determinant, encouragement and discouragement by family members were developed as a theme. Four additional themes were conducted related to weight management behaviour; external barriers, economic barriers, cultural barriers and physical barriers. In addition, integrating weight management in cancer care was described as a separate theme.

CONCLUSIONS

Several disease specific issues, including feeling stigmatized after cancer treatment and treatment-related side effects and peer-support should be given specific attention to maximize adherence of weight management programmes.

Colorectal cancer patients' experiences with supervised exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy-A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer worldwide, with increasing numbers surviving and living with long-term side effects from treatment. Physical exercise during or after treatment may have several beneficial effects, but knowledge of CRC patients' reflections on exercising during adjuvant therapy is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of CRC patients participating in a supervised exercise program during adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

This study included CRC patients participating in two intervention studies with individually tailored and supervised combinations of endurance, resistance, and balance exercises during adjuvant chemotherapy. Semi-structured interviews performed at the beginning, during, and immediately after the intervention period from 15 participants were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four main themes identified were "structuring life with cancer," "motivation to exercise," "training experiences," and "effects of exercise." Scheduled appointments gave structure to daily life and served as an external motivational factor. The individual adjustments of exercise gave a sense of security and helped improving adherence, especially when feeling depressed or fatigued. Common expectations were improvement of endurance and strength and counteracting negative effects of chemotherapy. Experienced positive effects from exercising, both mentally and physically, contributed to inner motivation and inspired continued exercising after the study period.

CONCLUSION

This study offers important insights into CRC patients' experiences of participating in a physical exercise program during adjuvant chemotherapy. Based on our findings, we recommend supervised and individually tailored physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy to this patient group.

Role of physiotherapy in supporting recovery from breast cancer treatment: a qualitative study embedded within the UK PROSPER trial

OBJECTIVES

To explore the experiences of women with breast cancer taking part in an early physiotherapy-led exercise intervention compared with the experiences of those receiving usual care. To understand physiotherapists' experience of delivering the trial intervention. To explore acceptability of the intervention and issues related to the implementation of the Prevention Of Shoulder Problems (PROSPER) programme from participant and physiotherapist perspective.

DESIGN

Qualitative semistructured interviews with thematic analysis.

SETTING

UK National Health Service.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty participants at high risk of shoulder problems after breast cancer surgery recruited to the UK PROSPER trial (10 each from the intervention arm and control arm), and 11 physiotherapists who delivered the intervention. Trial participants were sampled using convenience sampling. Physiotherapists were purposively sampled from high and low recruiting sites.

RESULTS

Participants described that the PROSPER exercise intervention helped them feel confident in what their body could do and helped them regain a sense of control in the context of cancer treatment, which was largely disempowering. Control arm participants expressed less of a sense of control over their well-being. Physiotherapists found the exercise intervention enjoyable to deliver and felt it was valuable to their patients. The extra time allocated for appointments during intervention delivery made physiotherapists feel they were providing optimal care, being the 'perfect physio'. Lessons were learnt about the implementation of a complex exercise intervention for women with breast cancer, and the issues raised will inform the development of a future implementation strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

A physiotherapist-delivered early supported exercise intervention with integrated behavioural strategies helped women at risk of shoulder problems following breast cancer treatment to feel more confident in their ability to mobilise their arm post-surgery. A physiotherapist-delivered early supported exercise intervention with integrated behavioural strategies may address the sense of powerlessness that many women experience during breast cancer treatment.Trial registration number ISRCTN35358984.

Factors influencing physical activity participation among people living with or beyond cancer: a systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

It has been posited that physical activity (PA) has the potential to improve health outcomes and the health-related quality of life of people living with or beyond cancer. Despite the well-documented health benefits of PA, there is a low level of PA among cancer patients. A systematic scoping review was conducted to investigate attitudes, perceptions, preferences and barriers vs. facilitators to cancer patients' PA participation.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed across four automated databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Medline) in keeping with the PRISMA guideline. All cancer types were included, and any age/gender groups were eligible. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included. The Health Belief Model provided a conceptual framework for the conduct of the scoping review as well as guiding thinking to inform evidence-based interventions.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight articles were included in this review. Nearly half of the studies focused on mixed cancer sites; breast cancer was the most commonly examined cancer type (19%). Post-treatment was the most commonly investigated stage (33%), followed by studies of mixed stages of the cancer trajectory (27%), the acute treatment stage (23%) and pre-treatment stage (1%). Patient treatment stage was not reported in 16% of studies. Cancer patients reported positive attitudes to PA and recognized its benefits for health and wellbeing. Cancer-related side effects (e.g. fatigue) were a leading physiological barrier to PA participation, whereas effective symptom management techniques/tools acted as a powerful facilitator. Psychosocial barriers included low motivation and kinesiophobia, and perceived health benefits and social support/guidance by healthcare providers were significant facilitators. Inaccessible fitness facilities hindered cancer patients' PA engagement though the availability of tailored amenities appeared to be a strong facilitator. PA preferences varied in terms of type, place, time, company and source of information and pointed to the need for individualized PA programs.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for further research to identify barriers and facilitators to PA that are faced by patients with particular cancer types. Recommended PA promoting-strategies involve including exercise science professionals in healthcare teams and ensuring that fitness facilities are accessible.

Exploring changes in dietary intake, physical activity and body weight during chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study

Background

The present study aimed (i) to assess changes in dietary intake (DI), physical activity (PA) and body weight (BW) in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy; (ii) to describe how women explained, experienced and dealt with these potential changes; and (iii) to eventually develop lifestyle intervention strategies tailored to the women's personal needs during chemotherapy.

Methods

A longitudinal parallel mixed‐method design was used with quantitative assessment of changes in dietary intake (24‐h recall, Appetite, Hunger, Sensory Perception questionnaire), physical activity (Short Questionnaire to Assess Health‐enhancing physical activity, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) and BW (dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry), in addition to qualitative interviews with 25 women about these potential changes during chemotherapy.

Results

Most women who perceived eating less healthily with low energy intake (EI) and being less active before diagnosis continued to do so during chemotherapy, according to quantitative measurements. They struggled to maintain sufficient energy intake. Despite a lower than average reported EI, they unexpectedly gained weight and explained that fatigue made them even more inactive during chemotherapy. Active women usually managed to stay active because exercise was very important to them and made them feel good, although they also suffered from the side‐effects of chemotherapy. They found more ways to deal with taste, smell and appetite problems than women with a lower energy intake.

Conclusions

The combination of the quantitative and qualitative data provided more insight into the changes in dietary intake, physical activity and BW during chemotherapy. The women's explanations showed why some women remain active and others need support to deal with changes in lifestyle factors such as healthy nutrition and fatigue.

"This is my home-based exercise": exploring environmental influences on home-based exercise participation in oncology

PURPOSE

Home-based exercise interventions offer many health benefits; however, the environments that constitute home-based exercise are not well-understood. The purpose of this study was to explore what constitutes the "home" for cancer survivors engaging in home-based exercise and identify factors of the environment that may impact exercise participation.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative exploratory study of cancer survivors receiving a home-based exercise prescription to manage their cancer-related impairments. Semi-structured interviews included photo elicitation to actively involve participants in the interview process and provide opportunities to visually "observe" environments utilized for home-based exercise.

RESULTS

Sixteen participants were interviewed (n = 11 women, median age = 53.5, range = 26-74 years) and three themes emerged: (1) reasons for participating in a home-based exercise program; (2) physical environmental influences and preferences; and (3) social environmental influences and preferences. The ability to self-manage exercise and accommodate competing demands, having access to exercise facilities, feeling comfortable exercising without qualified supervision, and a desire for autonomy were reasons home-based exercise programs were preferred. Participants reported that the physical environment influenced their experience with home-based exercise and sub-themes related to a dynamic environment, indoor and outdoor characteristics, and aesthetics were identified. The social environment, with sub-themes associated with the presence of people, social climate, exercise modeling, connection, and exercise support, also related to exercise behavior.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the influence of the physical and social environment on exercise prescription engagement. They further indicate the need for exercise professionals to consider the environment for exercise when delivering home-based exercise interventions.

Variability and limitations in home-based exercise program descriptions in oncology: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

The literature reflects considerable heterogeneity in what constitutes home-based exercise interventions. The variability for where and what "home-based" exercise can represent challenges interpretation of findings and appropriate advocacy, referral, or development of these models of care. Therefore, the objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary of how home-based exercise is defined and reported in the literature and summarize the range of supportive elements utilized in home-based exercise trials.

METHODS

We followed methodology for scoping reviews. Relevant research databases were searched from inception to March 2019. Two reviewers independently screened articles to determine eligibility and extracted terminology used to describe home-based exercise and intervention details for intervention delivery.

RESULTS

Of the 9432 records identified, 229 articles met inclusion criteria. Across the literature, exercise interventions were described as home-based if they were completed at-home, outdoors in the neighbourhood, and in community facilities; or in self-selected environments; or if they were unsupervised. Supportive elements for home-based models ranged with respect to the amount of supervision and resources utilized, including the provision of print materials, exercise equipment, telephone support, home visits, and technology.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides a comprehensive summary of strategies previously utilized to deliver home-based exercise interventions in oncology, along with the various definitions of the home-based environment for exercise reported by researchers. Specific recommendations to improve the prescription and reporting of home-based exercise interventions are provided in order to facilitate the delivery, evaluation, and translation of findings into clinical practice.

Breast cancer: effectiveness of a one-year unsupervised exercise program

BACKGROUND

Improvements in prevention and therapeutic strategies over the years have considerably increased the number of breast cancer survivors. Sedentary behavior is now acknowledged to be a risk factor for cancer and cancer relapse. Currently, there are different approaches to increasing the effectiveness of long-term physical activity in these patients. The aim of this study was to verify the long-term effectiveness of a home-based program for active lifestyle change in overweight breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

We enrolled 43 women (age 51.5±9.9 years), who underwent an evaluation of their spontaneous physical activity levels, their baseline aerobic capacity through a 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), their flexibility, grip and lower limb strength, and their body composition. We repeated the measurements of these physical and anthropometric parameters six times during one year of unsupervised exercise.

RESULTS

At the beginning of the program the sample showed a moderate level of spontaneous physical activity (physical activity level=1.44±0.12, steps/day=7420.3±1622.3). After being prescribed an individual exercise program, a significant reduction in BMI (T0=27.9±4.3, T5=25.8±3.0 kg/m2; P<0.001) and skinfold sum was observed (T0=99.5±25.2, T5=86.2±22.7 mm; P=0.019), with a parallel maintenance of cell mass (T0= 21.4±3.3, T5= 22.5±3.0 kg; P=0.654). The functional parameters showed an increase in lower limb muscle fitness and a reduction in diastolic blood pressure after 6 MWT (T0= 78.4±10.1, T5= 72.5±14.9 mmhg; P=0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity is recommended for cancer patients; this model of prescribing unsupervised exercise seems to ensure optimal compliance, thus allowing long-term therapeutic efficacy.

A longitudinal mixed methods study on changes in body weight, body composition, and lifestyle in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy and in a comparison group of women without cancer: study protocol

Background

More than 60% of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer receive (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy often experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite that potentially affect body weight and body composition. Changes in body weight and body composition may detrimentally affect their quality of life, and could potentially increase the risk of disease recurrence, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. To date, from existing single method (quantitative or qualitative) studies is not clear whether changes in body weight and body composition in breast cancer patients are treatment related because previous studies have not included a control group of women without breast cancer.

Methods

We therefore developed the COBRA-study (Change Of Body composition in BReast cancer: All-in Assessment-study) to assess changes in body weight, body composition and related lifestyle factors such as changes in physical activity, dietary intake and other behaviours. Important and unique features of the COBRA-study is that it used I) a “Mixed Methods Design”, in order to quantitatively assess changes in body weight, body composition and lifestyle factors and, to qualitatively assess how perceptions of women may have influenced these measured changes pre-, during and post-chemotherapy, and II) a control group of non-cancer women for comparison. Descriptive statistics on individual quantitative data were combined with results from a thematic analysis on the interviews- and focus group data to understand patients’ experiences before, during and after chemotherapy.

Discussion

The findings of our mixed methods study, on chemotherapy treated cancer patients and a comparison group, can enable healthcare researchers and professionals to develop tailored intervention schemes to help breast cancer patients prevent or handle the physical and mental changes they experience as a result of their chemotherapy. This will ultimately improve their quality of life and could potentially reduce their risk for other co-morbidity health issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Fatigue management experiences from women undergoing chemotherapy: self-care strategies

ABSTRACT Objective: In order to understand the experiences of women with breast cancer managing fatigue due to chemotherapy with the use of non-pharmacological strategies. Methods: Explanatory study, qualitative, with theoretical reference of medical anthropology and resources of the ethnographic method for data collection; in which four women took part. Thematic analysis was performed based on interviews and conducted observations. Results: Three strategies of self-care, resulted from the culture were used for physical fatigue management: rest, energy conservation and eat habits. Physical activities, contact with plants and religiosity were constituted as practices to deal with emotional fatigue. We understand that the meaning attributed to the use of non-pharmacological strategies was the possibility of feeling capable, confident and able to continue treatment. Conclusions and implications for practice: These woman’s experiences revealed the following necessities, the use of specific strategies to deal with fatigue, as well as the appreciation and understanding of their singularities and cultural practices present in their contexts. In the nursing care, it is possible to associate these practices with scientific knowledge and thus complement the care in favor of an integral care.

Rethinking exercise identity: a qualitative study of physically inactive cancer patients' transforming process while undergoing chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To explore physically inactive breast and colon cancer patients' prediagnosis exercise history and attitudes to physical activity (PA) and experiences in initiating PA while undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.

DESIGN

An explorative qualitative study guided the interpretive analysis of semistructured, open-ended interviews conducted at initiation of chemotherapy and after 12 weeks. The study was embedded in a pilot randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from the Oncological Department at a hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS

33 patients with cancer, median age 49 years: 25 patients with breast cancer and 8 with colon cancer, 72% with a low cardiac respiratory fitness level and the majority with a high level of education. Patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, oncologist's PA recommendation and exercise, cancer nurse specialist's counselling prior to allocation to PA interventions or waitlist control group.

RESULTS

Prediagnosis exercise had been excluded from patients' daily lives due to perceptions of exercise as boring, lack of discipline and stressful work conditions for both genders. Recommendations from oncologists and nurses inspired the patients to reconsider their attitudes and behaviour by accepting recruitment and participation in PA interventions during chemotherapy. Despite extensive side effects, most patients adhered to their PA commitment due to their perception of the bodily, emotional and social benefits and support of healthcare professionals, peers and family.

CONCLUSION

The patients' attitude towards exercise transformed from having no priority in patients' daily lives prediagnosis to being highly prioritised. This study identified four important phases in the exercise transformation process during the patients' treatment trajectory of relevance to clinicians in identifying, motivating and supporting physically inactive patients with cancer at long-term risk. Clinicians should address young, highly educated patients with cancer at onset of adjuvant chemotherapy due to their specific risk of a sedentary lifestyle resulting from being in stressful, ambitious careers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN24901641), Stage: Qualitative results.

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA): Causes and predictors

Background and aim

DAMA is a result of patient dissatisfaction, which increases the rate of readmission, mortality, and complications. In this study, the causes and predictors of DAMA in Shahid Labbafinejad Hospital of Tehran were determined.

Methods

The descriptive and analytical study was conducted in 2016 from the information of 1,168 hospitalized patients in the period of 2015 and the first half of 2016. Patients’ information was collected using checklists and through clinical records, nursing unit reports, and telephone calls. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-v18 software and by employing chi-square test and logistic regression modeling.

Results

The DAMA rate was estimated at 3.27%. Among the causes of DAMA, the high rates were related to personal problems (39.04%) and going to other centers (34.93%), and the lowest level was related to dissatisfaction with the physician (3.08%). Age groups (19–37, OR=2.17), (38–56 years, OR=1.70), and (57–75, OR=1.62), gender (male, OR=1.47), locations (Tehran city, OR=0.61) and (Tehran Province, OR=0.63) were predictors of DAMA (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The importance of DAMA requires practical measures such as creating a suitable environment for patients, providing consulting services for youth, improving staff relations, providing assistance for patients in need, and removing accommodation problems of patients and their companions to reduce the DAMA.

Underdiagnosis of delirium on admission and prediction of patients who will develop delirium during their inpatient stay: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to determine the prevalence and documentation of delirium among the elderly and if the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) can be used to predict which patients had delirium on admission and those who may develop delirium during their stay in acute medical wards.

METHODS

A single researcher performed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and CDT on admission and discharge of 57 elderly adults at the National University Hospital, Singapore. Delirium was defined as a ≥ 3-point improvement or ≥ 2-point decline in MMSE scores from admission to discharge, where a fall denotes development of delirium and a rise denotes resolution. The case notes of the same patients were reviewed for documentation of delirium. All inpatients from two acute medical wards were examined. One CDT score and a pair of MMSE scores were collected from each patient.

RESULTS

A total of 57 patients (28 male, 29 female) were involved in the study. Their mean age was 76.0 ± 8.7 years. The prevalence of delirium based on MMSE scores was 40.4%; 16 patients had delirium on admission while seven developed delirium during their inpatient stay. However, delirium was documented in the case notes of only 7 (30%) of the 23 patients. CDT score was better than baseline MMSE score at predicting a decline in MMSE score.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of delirium in the acute medical setting is high but underdiagnosed. The CDT may be a good screening tool to identify patients at risk of delirium during their inpatient stay. Baseline cognition screening should be performed in every elderly patient admitted to hospital.

Physical Activity During and After Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: An Integrative Review of Women's Experiences

Background: In oncology, physical activity (PA) is recognized to improve psychological and physiological functions. Motivating women with breast cancer to sustain a physically active lifestyle is important for promoting positive health after diagnosis. To review and synthesize what is known about how women with breast cancer experience supervised and unsupervised PA during and after adjuvant treatment. PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched, yielding 994 citations. The final review included 17 articles published between 2004 and 2014 in English. The CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) instrument was used to appraise quality. Results: Exercise is experienced as a positive element with multiple benefits. However, maintaining a physically active lifestyle during and after chemotherapy is sometimes challenging. Reported benefits of PA include feeling empowered, and improving and reclaiming health. Facilitators to PA comprised exercising with peers and skilled instructors. Barriers included social factors and lack of information. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of incorporating PA programs from a patient experience perspective as routine treatment. Health care professionals play a crucial “gateway” role in providing information on implementation and benefits of PA. Providing support and educated advice about how to safely start or continue regular PA to minimize symptoms, reduce morbidity, and increase well-being during or after treatment is vital for women with breast cancer. Implications for Practice: Health care professionals need increased knowledge of the breast cancer patients’ perspectives on facilitators and barriers to PA during and after treatment, in order to provide sufficient support for women to stay physically active during a breast cancer illness.

Exercise for women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

A huge clinical research database on adjuvant cancer treatment has verified improvements in breast cancer outcomes such as recurrence and mortality rates. On the other hand, adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy impacts on quality of life due to substantial short- and long-term side effects. A number of studies have evaluated the effect of exercise interventions on those side effects. This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in 2006. The original review identified some benefits of physical activity on physical fitness and the resulting capacity for performing activities of daily life. It also identified a lack of evidence for other outcomes, providing clear justification for an updated review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of aerobic or resistance exercise interventions during adjuvant treatment for breast cancer on treatment-related side effects such as physical deterioration, fatigue, diminished quality of life, depression, and cognitive dysfunction.

SEARCH METHODS

We carried out an updated search in the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group Specialised Register (30 March 2015), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 2, 2015), MEDLINE (1966 to 30 March 2015), and EMBASE (1966 to 30 March 2015). We did not update the original searches in CINAHL (1982 to 2004), SPORTDiscus (1975 to 2004), PsycINFO (1872 to 2003), SIGLE (1880 to 2004), and ProQuest Digital Dissertations (1861 to 2004). We searched the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing trials on 30 March 2015. We screened references in relevant reviews and published clinical trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials that examined aerobic or resistance exercise or both in women undergoing adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Published and unpublished trials were eligible.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed data extraction, assessed trials, and graded the methodological quality using Cochrane's 'Risk of bias' tool. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion or by consulting the third review author. We entered data into Review Manager for analysis. For outcomes assessed with a variety of instruments, we used the standardised mean difference (SMD) as a summary statistic for meta-analysis; for those assessed with the same instrument, we used the mean difference (MD).

MAIN RESULTS

For this 2015 update we included a total of 32 studies with 2626 randomised women, 8 studies from the original search and 24 studies from the updated search. We found evidence that physical exercise during adjuvant treatment for breast cancer probably improves physical fitness (SMD 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25 to 0.59; 15 studies; 1310 women; moderate-quality evidence) and slightly reduces fatigue (SMD -0.28, 95% CI -0.41 to -0.16; 19 studies; 1698 women; moderate-quality evidence). Exercise may lead to little or no improvement in health-related quality of life (MD 1.10, 95% CI -5.28 to 7.48; 1 study; 68 women; low-quality evidence), a slight improvement in cancer site-specific quality of life (MD 4.24, 95% CI -1.81 to 10.29; 4 studies; 262 women; low-quality evidence), and an improvement in cognitive function (MD -11.55, 95% CI -22.06 to -1.05; 2 studies; 213 women; low-quality evidence). Exercise probably leads to little or no difference in cancer-specific quality of life (SMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.25; 12 studies; 1012 women; moderate-quality evidence) and little or no difference in depression (SMD -0.15, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.01; 5 studies; 674 women; moderate-quality evidence). Evidence for other outcomes ranged from low to moderate quality. Seven trials reported a very small number of adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Exercise during adjuvant treatment for breast cancer can be regarded as a supportive self care intervention that probably results in less fatigue, improved physical fitness, and little or no difference in cancer-specific quality of life and depression. Exercise may also slightly improve cancer site-specific quality of life and cognitive function, while it may result in little or no difference in health-related quality of life. This review is based on trials with a considerable degree of clinical heterogeneity regarding adjuvant cancer treatments and exercise interventions. Due to the difficulty of blinding exercise trials, all included trials were at high risk for performance bias. Furthermore, the majority of trials were at high risk for detection bias, largely due to most outcomes being self reported.The findings of the updated review have enabled us to make a more precise conclusion that both aerobic and resistance exercise can be regarded as beneficial for individuals with adjuvant therapy-related side effects. Further research is required to determine the optimal type, intensity, and timing of an exercise intervention. Furthermore, long-term evaluation is required due to possible long-term side effects of adjuvant treatment.

Exercise despite pain--breast cancer patient experiences of muscle and joint pain during adjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent participation in an exercise intervention

Chemotherapy-related pain is a well-known side effect in cancer patient receiving chemotherapy. However, limited knowledge exists describing whether exercise exacerbates existing pain. Aim of the research was to explore muscle and joint pain experienced by women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel and factor support and concurrently participating in an exercise intervention. The study used individual semi-structured interviews (pre- and post-intervention). Fifteen women were interviewed. The multimodal group intervention comprised supervised training: high-intensity cardiovascular, heavy resistance and relaxation, massage and body-awareness (9 h weekly, 6 weeks). The analysis revealed five categories: Abrupt pain - a predominant side effect, cogitated pain management, the adapted training, non-immediate exacerbation of pain and summarised into the essence of chemotherapy related muscle and joint pain in exercise breast cancer patients; exercise despite pain. Findings indicate that the patients' perception of sudden onset of chemotherapy-related muscle and joint pain was not aggravated by training. Pain intensity peaked between 2 and 9 days after chemotherapy and is described to be stabbing pain with a feeling of restlessness in the body. The patients demonstrated a high adherence rate to the exercise intervention caused by their own willpower and camaraderie of the group.

Breast cancer survivors' perspectives on a weight loss and physical activity lifestyle intervention

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to qualitatively describe the experiences of breast cancer survivors who took part in a successful 24-week lifestyle intervention aimed at weight loss. The aim was to inform future study designs and lifestyle interventions.

METHODS

Nine women who completed the lifestyle intervention took part in either a focus group or telephone interviews with trained facilitators who were not involved in the delivery of the intervention. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Women appreciated the group-based nature of the program, the presence of other breast cancer survivors, and the safe and supportive environment provided by program leaders. The intervention supported women in reframing their dietary habits, and the exercise component had unexpected benefits on their psychological wellbeing. The logistics of fitting the intervention into busy work and family schedules was a challenge experienced by most women. Recommendations for future programming included offering the intervention to all survivors immediately following adjuvant treatment, integrating participants' social networks into the program and including a maintenance phase for sustainability of healthy behaviors.

CONCLUSION

This qualitative study provides insight into breast cancer survivors' experiences in a group-based lifestyle intervention and offers suggestions for the development of future lifestyle programming in cancer care.

Patient perspectives on breast cancer treatment side effects and the prospective surveillance model for physical rehabilitation for women with breast cancer

Women's experience of breast cancer is complex, affecting all aspects of life during and after treatment. Patients' perspectives about common impairments and functional limitations secondary to breast cancer treatment, including upper extremity motion restriction, lymphedema, fatigue, weight gain, pain, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, are addressed. Women often report being uninformed regarding these side effects and surprised that they do not always disappear after treatment, but remain part of their lives. Breast cancer patients express strong, unmet needs for education, information, and intervention for these side effects. Evidence suggests that rehabilitation and exercise are effective in preventing and managing many physical side effects of breast cancer treatment. Nevertheless, few women are referred to rehabilitation during or after treatment, and fewer receive baseline assessments of impairment and function to facilitate early detection of impairment and functional limitations. The prospective surveillance model of rehabilitation will serve the needs of women with breast cancer by providing education and information about treatment side effects, reducing the incidence and burden of side effects through early identification and treatment, and enhancing access to timely rehabilitation. Integration of exercise as a component of the model benefits patients at every phase of survivorship, by addressing individual concerns about exercise during and after treatment and highlighting the important contribution of exercise to overall health and survival. The prospective surveillance model of rehabilitation can meet the evident and often expressed needs of survivors for information, guidance, and intervention--thus addressing, and potentially improving, overall quality of life for individuals diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.