Effect of exercise during chemotherapy infusion on symptomatology and quality of life in women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise performed during chemotherapy infusion on symptom burden and quality of life in women with breast cancer.

METHODS

This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 39 women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy at a specialized oncology hospital in Brazil. Participants were randomly assigned to an exercise group (n = 18) or control group (n = 21). The intervention group performed low-intensity aerobic cycling with a portable ergometer for 20 min during infusion sessions 2 through 6. Fatigue (Cancer Fatigue Scale) and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) were assessed before the second and after the sixth infusion. Chemotherapy-related symptoms were also monitored via telephone recall 48-72 h post-infusion. Data were analyzed using GEE for symptom scores and repeated measures ANOVA for fatigue and quality of life outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 51 breast cancer patients recruited, 39 completed the study. No significant baseline differences were found between the intervention (exercise) and control groups. There were no significant changes in quality of life or fatigue scores (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and CFS) over time between groups. However, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in the severity of alopecia between chemotherapy sessions, which was not observed in the control group.

CONCLUSION

While exercise during chemotherapy did not significantly impact overall quality of life or fatigue, it may help reduce the perceived severity of certain treatment-related symptoms such as alopecia.