Aerobic capacity and upper limb strength are reduced in women diagnosed with breast cancer: a systematic review

AbstractQuestion: What are typical values of physical function for women diagnosed with breast cancer and how do these compare to normative data? Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Participants: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who were before, during or after treatment. Outcome measures: Physical function was divided into three categories: aerobic capacity, upper and lower extremity muscular fitness, and mobility. Measures of aerobic capacity included field tests (6-minute walk test, 12-minute walk tests, Rockport 1-mile test, and 2-km walk time) and submaximal/maximal exercise tests on a treadmill or cycle ergometer. Measures of upper and lower extremity muscular fitness included grip strength, one repetition maximum (bench, chest or leg press), muscle endurance tests, and chair stands. The only measure of mobility was the Timed Up and Go test. Results: Of the 1978 studies identified, 85 were eligible for inclusion. Wide ranges of values were reported, reflecting the range of ages, disease severity, treatment type and time since treatment of participants. Aerobic fitness values were generally below average, although 6-minute walk time was closer to population norms. Upper and lower extremity strength was lower than population norms for women who were currently receiving cancer treatment. Lower extremity strength was above population norms for women who had completed treatment. Conclusion: Aerobic capacity and upper extremity strength in women diagnosed with breast cancer are generally lower than population norms. Assessment of values for lower extremity strength is less conclusive. As more research is published, expected values for sub-groups by age, treatment, and co-morbidities should be developed. [Neil-Sztramko SE, Kirkham AA, Hung SH, Niksirat N, Nishikawa K Campbell KL (2014) Aerobic capacity and upper limb strength are reduced in women diagnosed with breast cancer: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy 60: 189–200

Cognitive and physical function in individuals treated with adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy for colon cancer : pilot study

Background: Following chemotherapy, it is estimated that up to 95% of all cancer patients report cognitive changes such as complaints with memory and difficulty concentrating. This condition is referred to as chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction or “chemo brain”. In addition, deficits in physical function are observed among those undergoing cancer treatment, as well as, long-term cancer survivors. While a decrease in physical activity participation has been shown among colorectal cancer patients over the course of chemotherapy, to date, changes in functional mobility over the course of chemotherapy has not been assessed in colon cancer patients using objective validated mobility tests. Furthermore, the association of cognitive and functional mobility dysfunction has not been explored. Purpose: To examine the effect of chemotherapy treatment on cognitive function, functional mobility and physical activity from baseline, to 6 months (end of chemotherapy) in individual being treated for colon cancer. Methods: At baseline and end of chemotherapy, participant completed a neuropsychological test battery, which included the Stroop, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R), and Trail Making A & B (TMT A&B), a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), a measure of physical function, and a functional mobility testing battery, which included timed up and go (TUG) and gait speed. Demographic information and self-reported physical activity, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), were also collected at these time points. For the analysis of neuropsychological and mobility test scores, the paired t-test was used to test for the differences and assess the change in the mean scores from the baseline to 6-months. Results: No significant changes were noted in the HVLT-R, Stroop, and TMT-A and -B mean scores after completion of chemotherapy compared to baseline. Compared to baseline, no significant changes were observed for 6MWT, TUG, GS, or leisure-time physical activity after completion of chemotherapy. Conclusions: There were no significant changes in chemotherapy-associated cognitive, physical function, or functional mobility noted from baseline to the end of chemotherapy. In addition, physical activity levels and average time spent sitting did no change significantly. No definitive statements can be provided since the results are based on a small sample size.Medicine, Faculty ofGraduat

Exercise training and immune crosstalk in breast cancer microenvironment: exploring the paradigms of exercise-induced immune modulation and exercise-induced myokines

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH65422-U21