adapted physical activity effect and fatigue in patients with breast cancer

Conditions: Breast Cancer

Summary: physical exercise has been identified as a major item of many chronic diseases and cancer rehabilitation. therefore, physical activity for health is a valid and relevant way to improve quality of life and to manage cancer patient fatigue. the aim of the study is the assessment of the effects of a physical activity retraining program on aerobic capacity, strength and fatigue, in a breast cancer population treated by adjuvant chemotherapy.

physical exercise has been identified as a major item of many chronic diseases and cancer rehabilitation. it contributes to an improvement in the quality of life and to a decrease in the current treatment side effects and mortality. cancer in association with treatment toxicity and an inactive lifestyle lead to a fall in physical capability and causes problems in daily activities. the physical capacity and the tolerance for exercise fall simultaneously leading to a deconditioning vicious circle which increases physical, psychological and emotional symptoms of fatigue. therefore, physical activity for health is a valid and relevant way to improve quality of life and to manage cancer patient fatigue. the aim of the study is the assessment of the effects of a physical activity retraining program on aerobic capacity, strength and fatigue, in a breast cancer population treated by adjuvant chemotherapy. a total of 44 subjects is required. the programme is organised as follows: arm a (aerobic and strength training) and during the 27 weeks of treatment (chemotherapy and radiotherapy); arm b (control group). this study includes 3 assessments phases (t0: before adjuvant chemotherapy; t1 (week 27) and t2: final evaluation at the 54th week). these assessments include: cardiopulmonary exercise test including maximal oxygen uptake test (vo2max), six-minute walk test, muscular testing, assessment of physical activity (ipaq questionnaire), fatigue (mfi20 questionnaire), quality of life (eortc qlq c30), anxiety and depression symptoms (hads) and nutritional evaluation: bmi and total body photonic absorption.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * females between 18 and 75 years of age * signed written informed consent * willing to take part in the trial and to follow the instructions * breast tumour, histologically documented * patients who have undergone curative surgery * patients for whom a 6-treatment course of adjuvant chemotherapy (3fec100 + taxanes) and radiotherapy has been scheduled * patients with her2-negative cancer. exclusion criteria: * metastatic cancer * other primary tumours * disability preventing a proper understanding of the instructions for the trial * chemotherapy strictly contra-indicated * patients who are subject to a court protection, wardship or guardianship order * uncontrolled hypertension * family history of sudden death in a first-degree relative * unstabilised heart disease * current treatment with beta-blockers * chronic or acute pulmonary disease associated with dyspnoea upon moderate effort * uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction * uncontrolled diabetes * any other serious conditions that are unstabilised, disabling or in which physical exercise is contra-indicated * unable to attend for follow-up throughout the duration of the study * ventricular ejection fraction (vef) \< 50%, pregnancy or suckling.

Keywords: adapted physical activity breast cancer