Effects of a home-based walking training program on cardiorespiratory fitness in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer treatment is associated with a decline in measured cardiorespiratory fitness and increased fatigue. There is accumulating evidence that exercise training during adjuvant chemotherapy may contribute to prevent these changes. Additional studies are needed to explore the effectiveness of home-based walking interventions among this population.

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week adapted home-based walking training program (WTP) on clinical rehabilitation in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

DESIGN

This was a pilot study using a single-group design.

SETTING

Unit Department of Physiology and Medical Oncology, Limoges University Hospital, France.

POPULATION

Thirty-nine outpatients predominantly with stage II breast cancer.

METHODS

Participants performed 3 home ambulatory aerobic walking sessions per week at 50-60% of their maximum heart rate for 12 weeks. Functional capacity was assessed with an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test during which peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) was measured. A six-minute walking test (6 MWT) was performed to evaluate physical function. The revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R) was used to measure self-reported fatigue.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients (87%) completed all study procedures. Per Protocol (PP) analysis indicated that VO(2peak) recorded both before and after a 12-week adapted home-based WTP increased significantly by 2.21 mL.kg-1.min-1 (P=0.008) and 6 MWT distance increased significantly by 42 m (P=0.04). PFS-R score increased by 0.4 points, but not significantly.

CONCLUSION

In breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, home-based WTP is feasible and associated with significant improvements in VO(2peak), with no significant effect on fatigue score. Larger randomized trials are necessary to confirm these findings.