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

Authors: Cuesta-Vargas AI , Buchan J , Arroyo-Morales M
Affiliations:
Source: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2014 Jan;23(1):15-21
DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12114 Publication date: 2014 Jan E-Publication date: Aug. 16, 2013 Availability: abstract Copyright: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Antonio I. Cuesta-Vargas, Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, Av. Martiricos s/n, 29009 Malaga, Spain (e-mail: acuesta@uma.es; acuesta.var@gmail.com).

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Article 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.

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