Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Clinical Trial
. 2012 Jun;6(2):146-54.
doi: 10.1007/s11764-011-0205-7. Epub 2011 Dec 10.

Health-related quality of life and biomarkers in breast cancer survivors participating in tai chi chuan

Lisa K Sprod  1 , Michelle C Janelsins, Oxana G Palesh, Jennifer K Carroll, Charles E Heckler, Luke J Peppone, Supriya G Mohile, Gary R Morrow, Karen M Mustian
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Health-related quality of life and biomarkers in breast cancer survivors participating in tai chi chuan

Lisa K Sprod et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer survivors experience diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We report on the influence of tai chi chuan exercise (TCC) on HRQOL and explore associations between changes in HRQOL and biomarkers.

Methods: Breast cancer survivors (N = 21) were randomly assigned to TCC or standard support therapy (SST) for 12 weeks (three times/week; 60 min/session). Interleukin-6, interleukin-8 (IL-8), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IBFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, glucose, insulin, and cortisol were measured pre- and postintervention. Overall HRQOL and subdomains were assessed at preintervention (T1), midintervention (T2) and postintervention (T3) and biomarkers at T1 and T3.

Results: The TCC group improved in total HRQOL (T1-T2:CS = 8.54, P = 0.045), physical functioning (T1-T2:CS = 1.89, P = 0.030), physical role limitations (T1-T2 CS = 1.55, P = 0.023), social functioning (T1-T3:CS = 1.50, P = 0.020), and general mental health (T1-T2:CS = 2.67, P = 0.014; T1-T3:CS = 2.44, P = 0.019). The SST improved in social functioning (T1-T2:CS = 0.64, P = 0.043) and vitality (T1-T2:CS = 0.90, P = 0.01). There were relationships between changes in IGF-1 and overall HRQOL (r = -0.56; P < 0.05), physical role limitation (r = -0.68; P < 0.05), and social functioning (r = -0.56; P < 0.05). IGFBP-1 changes were associated with physical role limitations changes (r = 0.60; P < 0.05). IGFBP-3 changes were associated with physical functioning changes (r = 0.46; P ≤ 0.05). Cortisol changes were associated with changes in physical role limitations (r = 0.74; P < 0.05) and health perceptions (r = 0.46; P < 0.05). Glucose changes were associated with emotional role limitation changes (r = -0.70; P < 0.001). IL-8 changes were associated with emotional role limitation changes (r = 0.59; P < 0.05).

Discussion/conclusions: TCC may improve HRQOL by regulating inflammatory responses and other biomarkers associated with side effects from cancer and its treatments.

Implications for cancer survivors: TCC may be an intervention capable of improving HRQOL in breast cancer survivors.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Relationship between health-related quality of life and biomarkers
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean change in health-related quality of life assessed using the multiple outcomes study short form-36
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. American Cancer Society Cancer facts and figures. 2009.
    1. Sadler IJ, Jacobsen PB. Progress in understanding fatigue associated with breast cancer treatment. Cancer Invest. 2001;19(7):723–31. - PubMed
    1. Andrykowski MA, et al. Use of a case definition approach to identify cancer-related fatigue in women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(27):6613–22. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hermelink K, et al. Cognitive function during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: results of a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal study. Cancer. 2007;109(9):1905–13. - PubMed
    1. Vardy J, Tannock I. Cognitive function after chemotherapy in adults with solid tumours. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2007;63(3):183–202. - PubMed

Publication types

Substances