Evaluation of the Impact of Adaptive Progressive Supervised Resistance Training on Strength and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer during Chemotherapy: The VALESCO Study.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer patients (BCP) experience considerable side effects during and after treatment. Several studies have shown positive effects of exercise on therapy-related side-effects such as loss of muscle strength, loss of bone mineral density, lymphedema, and several elements of quality of life (QoL). Resistance exercise has proven effective and beneficial for BCP; however, optimal individual training parameters remain to be determined. METHODS: The aim of our study was to implement an adaptive, progressive, supervised resistance protocol for BCPs during chemotherapy, improving muscle strength, physical condition, and overall QoL while reducing therapy-induced side-effects. Forty patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were included 6-12 weeks post-OP. Twenty patients underwent high intensity resistance-training twice a week for 12 weeks, and the control group received usual care. RESULTS: Strength parameters improved significantly in the intervention group and in different scales of QoL. We documented a cyclic performance level dependent on the number of days after treatment. CONCLUSION: Adaptive resistance training with simple training control mechanisms proved to be effective regarding optimal intensity in each training session and needs to be implemented in further studies in order to guarantee adequate loads in accordance to the training protocols.

App-Based Lifestyle Coaching (PINK!) Accompanying Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors to Reduce Psychological Distress and Fatigue and Improve Physical Activity: A Feasibility Pilot Study.

Introduction: This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of using an app-based certified medical product named PINK! on breast cancer patients and survivors. The objectives were to measure psychological distress, physical activity, and therapy-related fatigue of patients using PINK! to identify trends and develop a study design for a subsequent multicentric proof of efficacy RCT. Materials and Methods: PINK! offers individualized, evidence-based therapy and side-effect management, mindfulness-based stress reduction, nutritional and psychological education, physical activity tracking, and motivational exercises to implement lifestyle changes sustainably in daily routine. A prospective, intraindividual RCT was performed with n = 60 patients in 2021 at Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich. Patients with BC were included independent of the stage of diseases. The intervention group got access to PINK! over 12 weeks. Control group served as a waiting-list comparison to "standard of care." Results: Primary efficacy variable analysis revealed a relative average decrease of 32.9% in psychological distress, which corresponds to a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001) within 12 weeks compared to the control group. Linear regressions within usage groups showed a correlation of high app usage and a reduction of psychological distress. Fatigue data presented a statistically significant antifatigue efficacy (p < 0.001) and physical activity increased by 63.9%. Conclusion: App-based supportive care offers a promising, low-threshold, and cost-efficient opportunity to improve psychological well-being, quality of life, fatigue, and physical activity. More research is needed to implement eHealth solutions in clinical cancer care.

Exercise as Medicine Could Be a Chance for Early Detection and Prevention of Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Treatments: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: For cancer patients, cardiovascular complications as a consequence of certain oncological therapies are the leading cause of death, apart from the cancer itself. Currently, there are no uniform guidelines for detecting subclinical cardiotoxicity. Hence, the identification of cardiotoxicity arises late in the course of myocardial dysfunction after cardiac damage has occurred already. Early detection, prevention, and treatment of these cardiotoxic effects remain a challenge; therefore, supportive strategies such as physical activity gain in importance. SUMMARY: Exercise therapy, during and after cancer therapy, is considered to be safe, feasible, and effective. While animal models show protective effects, the evidence for the benefits of physical activity on future cardiovascular outcomes in human patients caused by certain cancer treatments is still limited. Consequently, targeted exercise recommendations such as frequency, intensity, time, or type are yet unclear, and certain guidelines, specifically preventing cardiotoxicity, are nonexistent. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly associated with all-cause mortality as well as cardiac dysfunction. In this context, the role of cardiorespiratory fitness as an early predictor in the detection of cardiovascular dysfunction will be discussed. KEY MESSAGE: Exercise therapy during cancer treatment could have the potential to aid in both the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular complications. This narrative review considers the current evidence on the impact of physical activity on cardiovascular outcomes in cancer patients and proposes, according to the present knowledge, a framework for cardioprotective exercise therapies.

A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study to Evaluate the Immediate Effect of Targeted Exercise Therapy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Cancer Survivors: The FatiGO Study.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a clinically relevant side effect that impairs cancer survivors after treatment cessation. Exercise interventions have proven effective; however, specific exercise modalities remain untested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of daily fatigue screenings and to show the impact of various exercise interventions on CRF. METHODS: The randomized controlled pilot study ran for 4 weeks with 3 training sessions per week, in 5 groups: endurance versus strength (moderate- and vigorous-intensity levels for each) compared to a non-active control group. The primary outcome was feasibility; more specifically, it was evaluated whether the documentation with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) on a daily basis and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) on a weekly basis are usable assessments to generate information about CRF. RESULTS: Over the course of the 4-week intervention, 8.3% of the participants (n = 3) dropped out. Thirty-three of the initial 36 participants completed the exercise sessions with an adherence of 95%. Measurements of daily fatigue were collected three times per day, 85% of which were completely filled out. In regard to weekly fatigue, all but one of the questionnaires were submitted (99.5%). Neither during the intervention nor during the tests did any serious adverse events occur within the FatiGO study; hence, the exercise intervention is considered to be feasible for participants. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed the feasibility of close-meshed daily fatigue screening. Preliminary data indicate that cancer survivors are able to train in high-intensity ranges with tendencies toward decreased fatigue. Therefore, practicability of the study design is shown. Further results are expected within the prospective multicenter trial.

Effects of Exercise on Sexual Dysfunction in Patients With Prostate Cancer - A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that exercise interventions may improve sexual dysfunction, one of the most common and distressing long-term adverse effects of cancer treatment. AIM: The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the effects of exercise on sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. The systematic literature search was performed on 13th July 2021 using CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline and Web of Science. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing sexual function in prostate cancer patients conducting an exercise intervention alone or in combination with other supportive interventions. The methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Education Database Score and Jadad scale. Outcomes were reported as between-group differences. Intragroup differences were also reported if significant. OUTCOMES: Positive intervention effects on sexual function were primarily observed in patients following prostatectomy and undergoing anti-hormone treatment and for pelvic floor muscle exercises as well as aerobic and resistance exercise. RESULTS: 22 RCTs (n = 1.752 patients) met the eligibility criteria, conducting either an exercise-only intervention (n = 10), a multimodal (exercise plus other supportive therapy) intervention (n = 4), or pelvic floor muscle exercises (n = 8). 6 RCTs assessed sexual dysfunction as a primary endpoint and 8 RCTs used dedicated assessment methods. 9 of the 22 RCTs found significant between-group differences in favor of the intervention group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The multifaceted etiology of sexual dysfunction provides a strong rationale to further investigate the effects of exercise on sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients and also to consider a multidisciplinary approach. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: A strength is the comprehensive literature search to identify RCTs involving different exercise interventions and a wide range of sexual function assessments. Further, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The main limitations include the difficulty to compare studies due to the heterogeneity of exercise interventions and low questionnaire completion rates in some studies. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data from a small number of studies suggest that certain exercise interventions may improve sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients, however further trials involving sexual dyfunction as a primary outcome and more comprehensive assessment tools are needed to confirm the rehabilitative and preventive effects of exercise on sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients. Nadine Reimer, Eva Maria Zopf, Rebecca Böwe, et al. Effects of Exercise on Sexual Dysfunction in Patients With Prostate Cancer - A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2021;18:1899-1914.

[Evidence and recommendations for oncologic clinical exercise - a personalized treatment concept for cancer patients]. / Onkologische Trainings- und Bewegungstherapie (OTT).

Oncological treatments can lead to acute and chronic cancer related toxicities. In recent years, a large number of clinical studies have reported positive effects of exercise to the bio-psycho-social regeneration of cancer patients. However, very few evidence-based programs have been implemented into practice with little opportunity for cancer patients to engage in such programs. Reviews and RCT studies on exercise and cancer are showing that specific exercise programs have a positive impact on fatigue syndrome, urinary incontinence, lymphedema, polyneuropathy, arthralgia, and androgen deprivation related toxicities. With the increasing evidence for exercise oncology interventions, recommendations arising from clinical trials should be translated into clinical practice and this should be viewed as an important next step in this fast moving field of exercise oncology. For that the personalized treatment concept "Oncologic clinical exercise" (OTT) was developed.

Gentle strength training in rehabilitation of breast cancer patients compared to conventional therapy.

UNLABELLED: Movement therapy during the rehabilitation of breast cancer has become more important over the last years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled study the feasibility of gentle strenght training was compared to conventional gymnastic exercises during rehabilitation of breast cancer patients. The aim oft this study was to identify alternative sports intervention in the treatment of breast cancer patients. The intervention group (IG) was lifting standardized weights weekly (50 % of h1RM), while the control group (CG) received conventional gymnastic exercises. A bicycle ergometry adjusted to the WHO system was performed with all participants at study entry (T0), after three (T1) and six months (T2). The quality of life was measured by standardized report forms (EORTC QLQ C30 Version 3 and BR23). RESULTS: Both methods showed a slight improvement in submaximal endurance performance, a significant improvement in the subjective feeling of effort (IG: 75 W: <0.01, CG: 75 W <0.01), in psychosocial and psychological parameters like quality of life (IG: <0.01, CG <0.01) and in fatigue (IG: <0,01, CG: <0.01). CONCLUSION: This study shows positive effects for gentle strength lifting in the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients and turned out to be a probate alternative to gymnastic exercises.