A randomized control study on the effects of prescriptive exercise on lean mass and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment

C. Battaglini and C. A. Dennehy

The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Navitas Cancer Rehabilitation Centers, Westminster, CO

Background: Loss of lean mass during cancer treatment has been correlated with increases in fatigue (F) levels. Exercise is related to decreases treatment related fatigue and has been shown to thwart muscle loss.

Methods: Twenty female subjects, ages ranging from 35 to 70 years, were recruited for the 21 week study. A randomized two-group (exercise and control) design with multiple measurements [Pre-surgery (PS), Post-surgery (POS), 1^st assessment during Chemotherapy (Chemo1), 2^nd assessment (Chemo 2), 3^rd assessment (Chemo 3), and at the end of the experiment (FA)] was used. Percent of lean body mass (%LBM) and F levels were measured as dependent variables. Also, creatine kinase (CK) and total caloric intake (TCI) were measured to explain changes in %LBM and F. Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed model ANOVA with repeated-measures.

Results: No significant difference in %LBM from PS to FA (p = 0.82) was observed. However, a significant interaction effect between groups and %LBM from PS to FA was observed (p<0.000). Post hoc analyses revealed significant difference in %LBM between groups at the FA (p = 0.004). Significant differences in F scores were observed between PS and FA (p=0.008). Post hoc analyses revealed significant difference in F scores between groups at Chemo 1, (p=0.001), Chemo 2, (p=0.005), and FA (p=0.000). No differences in CK were noted, however significant differences were noted between groups at PS (p=0.000) and FA (p=0.000) for TCI.

Conclusions: The results suggest that initiating a regular individualized prescriptive exercise immediately following surgical recovery and continuing through at least 12 weeks during chemotherapy treatment positively impacts %LBM and deceases F when compared to patients not involved in any exercise.