Breast and prostate cancer patients often suffer from cancer-related fatigue. While not well-understood, cancer-related fatigue may hamper a cancer patient’s recovery and quality of life. Researchers at the University of Rochester investigated the feasibility and results of 4 weeks of home-based aerobic exercises combined with progressive TheraBand® resistance band strengthening exercises. 38 patients with breast or prostate cancer beginning radiation therapy were randomized into a control group or exercise group. The exercise group subjects were given an exercise kit containing written instructions, a pedometer, and 3 progressive Thera-Band resistance bands. They exercised 7 days a week and were encouraged to walk 10,000 steps a day for the aerobic component. They also performed 11 upper body exercises with progressive TheraBand resistance.
The exercise group demonstrated good adherence (79%), and reported significantly more physical activity levels than the control group at the 3-month follow-up. In addition, the exercise group reported significantly less fatigue and higher quality of life compared to the control group. While not statistically significant, the exercise group maintained their muscle mass at the 3 month follow-up, while the control group lost muscle mass, a common side effect of cancer treatment. The authors concluded, “The combination of home-based aerobic (walking) and resistance (therapeutic bands) exercise during radiation therapy is safe, easy to implement in a busy radiation oncology clinic, well-adhered to by patients undergoing radiation therapy, and has a positive influence on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in females diagnosed with breast cancer and males diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
REFERENCE: Mustian KM, et al. 2009. A 4-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program during radiation therapy: A pilot randomized clinical trial. J Supportive Oncology: 9:158-167.
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