A multimodal physiotherapy programme plus deep water running for improving cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of aquatic-based exercise in the form of deep water running (DWR) as part of a multimodal physiotherapy programme (MMPP) for breast cancer survivors. A controlled clinical trial was conducted in 42 primary breast cancer survivors recruited from community-based Primary Care Centres. Patients in the experimental group received a MMPP incorporating DWR, 3 times a week, for an 8-week period. The control group received a leaflet containing instructions to continue with normal activities. Statistically significant improvements and intergroup effect size were found for the experimental group for Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised total score (d = 0.7, P = 0.001), as well as behavioural/severity (d = 0.6, P = 0.05), affective/meaning (d = 1.0, P = 0.001) and sensory (d = 0.3, P = 0.03) domains. Statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups were also found for general health (d = 0.5, P < 0.05) and quality of life (d = 1.3, P < 0.05). All participants attended over 80% of sessions, with no major adverse events reported. The results of this study suggest MMPP incorporating DWR decreases cancer-related fatigue and improves general health and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Further, the high level of adherence and lack of adverse events indicate such a programme is safe and feasible.

• Authors: A I Cuesta-Vargas, J Buchan, M Arroyo-Morales
• Journal: European journal of cancer care (Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 15-21 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1365-2354 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23947581 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
• Copyright: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Water

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Breast Neoplasms (complications, psychology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Exercise Therapy (methods)
• Fatigue (prevention & control)
• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Physical Therapy Modalities
• Quality of Life
• Running
• Spain
• Survivors (psychology)
• Water
• Young Adult