Feasibility of Exercise Rehabilitation Program During Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer Survivors Based on the American College of Sports Medicine Roundtable on Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors

We conducted this study to identify factors that are associated with the improved clinical benefit of a 6-week exercise rehabilitation (ER) program during radiotherapy (RTx) in breast cancer survivors (BCS). In a total of 95 BCS (n=95), we performed a 6-week course according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines. Through a retrospective review of the medical records, we analyzed the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. We assessed the patient outcomes using the EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BR23 and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and did the cardiopulmonary functions using a heart rate based, indirect method. We analyzed changes in outcome measures (EORTC QLQ C30 scores, EORTC QLQ BR23 scores, FSS scores and VO2max) at 6 weeks as compared with baseline. There were significant differences in the EORTC QLQ C30 scores on the QOL and functional scales, the EORTC QLQ BR 23 scores on the functional and symptom scales and the VO2max between baseline and at 6 weeks. Patients with higher education level undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) achieved better treatment outcomes of a 6-week ER program. But the age was not associated with the clinical benefit. The exercise program was effective in improving the QOL, cancer-related symptoms and cardiopulmonary functions, but it was not effective in improving the breast cancer-related symptoms. Moreover, the ALND and a higher level of education were associated with the increased clinical benefit of the exercise program during RTx.