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Exercise intervention in breast cancer patients with aromatase inhibitor‐associated arthralgia: a pilot study
Author(s) -
DeNysschen C.A.,
Burton H.,
Ademuyiwa F.,
Levine E.,
Tetewsky S.,
O'Connor T.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12155
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , grip strength , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , biceps , joint pain , aromatase inhibitor , aerobic exercise , anthropometry , cancer , physical medicine and rehabilitation , aromatase , nursing
Aromatase inhibitors ( AI s) block estrogen synthesis and are commonly used as adjuvant treatments for breast cancer patients. A common side effect is joint pain. This was a pilot study to examine implementation of an exercise program in reducing joint pain and improving quality of life ( QoL ) and functional performance in breast cancer patients treated with AI s. Twenty‐six participants completed an 8‐week, home‐based program that combined upper and lower body resistance exercises with self‐selected aerobic exercises. We measured: (1) anthropometry (2) functional performance (grip strength, biceps curl to exhaustion, and sit‐to‐stand and cardiovascular endurance (3‐min step test). Joint pain and QoL were assessed using self‐administered surveys. Participants reported a significantly lower number of painful joints, an improvement in QoL and a reduction in depressive symptoms. Significant improvements in grip strength, biceps curl, and sit‐to‐stand (by 14%, 51% and 15% respectively) were also observed. However, we found no significant changes in cardiovascular endurance or in anthropometric measures. An 8‐week, home‐based exercise program may provide potential benefit to the breast cancer patients undergoing AI treatment by reducing joint pain, improving functional performance and QoL , and reducing depressive symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.