Published December 2019 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Home-based physical activity interventions for breast cancer patients receiving primary therapy: a systematic review

Creators

  • 1. Augusta University, Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia (United States)
  • 2. Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine (United States)
  • 3. Augusta University, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Allied Health Sciences (United States)

Description

Purpose

Breast cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer in women in the US, so it is important to provide these women with good therapies. However, there are adverse effects to these therapies. Physical activity plays an important role in alleviating these adverse effects of breast cancer therapy. However, the effectiveness of home-based physical activity interventions such as walking programs has not been detailed by prior reviews.

Methods

This article reviews articles published to date to examine whether home-based physical activity interventions are effective in improving physical activity and other outcomes among breast cancer patients who are undergoing primary therapy for the disease. The present review is based upon bibliographic searches in PubMed and CINAHL and relevant search terms. Articles published in English from 1980 through February 28, 2019 were identified. A total of 360 article citations were identified in PubMed and non-duplicates in CINAHL.

Results

After screening the abstracts or full texts of these articles and reviewing the references of previous review articles, we found 15 studies that met the eligibility criteria. Four of the studies were pre/post-test trials, 10 were randomized controlled trials, and one study was an observational study.

Conclusion

Results from studies published to date indicate that among women receiving primary breast cancer therapy, home-based physical activity programs have positive effects on physical functioning and symptoms such as fatigue. Among women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy, home-based physical activity programs are effective in reducing symptoms and improving physical functioning. Additional studies are needed to clarify the impact of home-based physical therapy interventions on other outcomes including quality-of-life, bone mineral density, cognitive functioning, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1007/s10549-019-05424-4;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Journal Volume
178
Journal Issue
3
Journal Page Range
p. 513-522
ISSN
0167-6806
CODEN
BCTRD6

INIS

Country of Publication
Netherlands
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
51090959
Subject category
S62: RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE;
Descriptors DEI
BONE MINERAL DENSITY; CHEMOTHERAPY; FATIGUE; MAMMARY GLANDS; NEOPLASMS; PATIENTS; QUALITY OF LIFE; RADIOTHERAPY; SCREENING; SYMPTOMS; WOMEN
Descriptors DEC
ANIMALS; BODY; BODY COMPOSITION; DISEASES; FEMALES; GLANDS; MAMMALS; MAN; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; MEDICINE; NUCLEAR MEDICINE; ORGANS; PRIMATES; RADIOLOGY; THERAPY; VERTEBRATES

Optional Information

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2019 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature