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. 2015 Mar;18(1):87-96.
doi: 10.4048/jbc.2015.18.1.87. Epub 2015 Mar 27.

Effects of a 4-week multimodal rehabilitation program on quality of life, cardiopulmonary function, and fatigue in breast cancer patients

Junghwa Do  1 , Youngki Cho  1 , Jaeyong Jeon  1
Affiliations

Effects of a 4-week multimodal rehabilitation program on quality of life, cardiopulmonary function, and fatigue in breast cancer patients

Junghwa Do et al. J Breast Cancer. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the effects of a rehabilitation program on quality of life (QoL), cardiopulmonary function, and fatigue in breast cancer patients. The program included aerobic exercises as well as stretching and strengthening exercises.

Methods: Breast cancer patients (n=62) who had completed chemotherapy were randomly assigned to an early exercise group (EEG; n=32) or a delayed exercise group (DEG; n=30). The EEG underwent 4 weeks of a multimodal rehabilitation program for 80 min/day, 5 times/wk for 4 weeks. The DEG completed the same program during the next 4 weeks. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), predicted maximal volume of oxygen consumption (VO2max), and fatigue severity scale (FSS) were used for assessment at baseline, and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks.

Results: After 8 weeks, statistically significant differences were apparent in global health, physical, role, and emotional functions, and cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue and pain, nausea, and dyspnea on the EORTC QLQ-C30; cancer-related symptoms involving the arm and breast on the EORTC QLQ-BR23; the predicted VO2max; muscular strength; and FSS (p<0.050), according to time, between the two groups.

Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that a supervised multimodal rehabilitation program may improve the physical symptoms, QoL, and fatigue in patients with breast cancer.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Fatigue; Quality of life; Rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow of participants throughout trial.
LBP=low back pain.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Quality of life score from baseline to week 8 by group assignment (n=62).
EEG=early exercise group; DEG=delayed exercise group; CI=confidence interval.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Cardiorespiratory function from baseline to week 8 by group assignment (n=62).
EEG=early exercise group; DEG=delayed exercise group; CI=confidence interval.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Fatigue severity scores from baseline to week 8 by group assignment (n=62).
EEG=early exercise group; DEG=delayed exercise group; CI=confidence interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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