A supervised, moderate- to high-intensity, combined resistance and aerobic exercise program is most effective for patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
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Exercise programs with higher intensity levels result in better outcomes for patients
the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:
A supervised, moderate- to high-intensity exercise program that combines resistance and aerobic exercise (eg, OnTrack) is most effective for patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
However, a home-based, low-intensity physical activity program (eg, Onco-Move) provides some benefit and is a viable alternative for women who cannot or will not participate in more intensive exercise compared with usual care (UC).
In this study, 230 women who were scheduled to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy were randomly assigned to Onco-Move, OnTrack, or (UC). Assessments were made before assignment, at the end of chemotherapy, and at the 6-month follow-up.
Cardiorespiratory fitness, physical functioning, nausea and vomiting, and pain outcomes were all better in the intervention groups compared with the UC group.
Those in the OnTrack group also had better muscle strength and less physical fatigue, plus a smaller percentage of them needed dose adjustments.
In addition, patients in both intervention groups returned earlier, as well as for more hours per week, to work than patients in the UC group.
