Cancer Patients Benefit from Resistive and Aerobic Exercise

It’s no secret to any of us that exercise is important to maintain good health. But, in the case of patients with cancer, exercise is generally not prescribed as a means of promoting recovery. In fact, because fatigue is a significant factor in those undergoing cancer treatment, exercise is often avoided. A recent review of several studies involving cancer patients and exercise suggests a need to change that view.

The review involved thirty-three trails gathered through an extensive process that included searching databases and a reference list of review articles as well as contacting twenty experts in the field to inquire about whether they might be aware of other studies involving cancer patients and exercise. The trials included:

u Thirteen involving breast cancer patients during or after adjuvant therapy.

u Eleven involved only adult patients with cancer.

u One involved pediatric cancer survivors.

u The rest of the trials included patients receiving treatment for a variety of cancers.

Two reviewers thoroughly read all of the studies and compiled details on:

u Study design u Interventions u Results

u Participants u Outcome measures u Conclusions

Once the data was collected, the reviewers created tables to summarize the material and to determine if they could pool statistics based on at least four studies using a similar population group and having a similar outcome. Though pooling, the reviewers were able to look at specific results, such as the effect of exercise on the physical function of patients being treated for breast cancer. It also allowed them to specifically look at the effect of exercise on fatigue.

The review showed that patients who participated in aerobic exercise programs for six to twenty-five weeks had a statistically significant improvement in timed walk distances or in aerobic capacity. Results of particular importance were:

uOne study indicated that patients who were undergoing chemotherapy showed less loss of

physical ability when they exercised during their hospital stay.

uThree studies showed that patients who performed resistive training had improvement in

muscular strength.

uTen studies showed a reduction in cancer-related fatigue.

Considering the positive effects exercise (both resistive and aerobic) has shown on the health and recovery of cancer patients and the fact that the studies did not show an adverse effect on symptoms of fatigue, it seems a reasonable conclusion that patients with cancer could benefit from a prescribed regimen of exercise.

Patients referred for therapy have the opportunity to work with a therapist to develop an exercise routine to help maintain physical strength and function in a safe manner. Physical therapists in conjunction with the patient’s referring doctor can closely monitor the effects of the exercise therapy and make alterations to address the individual’s specific needs.

Stevinson, Clare, Debbie. A., Fox, Kenneth R. Exercise interventions for cancer patients: systematic review of controlled trials. University of Bristol, Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health; Bristol (UK). 2004