Summary: Women who started aerobic workout programs while receiving breast cancer chemotherapy reported better mental performance and quality of life than those who received standard care. Participants in the exercise group reported being more focused and recalled information, which reduced the effects of” chemo-brain”
Although no statistically significant differences between the groups were found in cognitive tests, self-reports suggest that exercise may help maintain mental decrease during treatment. These studies support the use of practice in cancer treatment to enhance both physical and mental health.
Important Facts:
- Girls who exercised while receiving treatment reported better mental functioning.
- Exercise may help reduce” chemo-brain” symptoms, despite comparable test results.
- Experts advocate for personalized practice regimens for people with breast cancer.
Origin: Wiley
Many women who receive chemotherapy experience a decreased ability to remember, concentrate, and/or think—commonly referred to as” chemo-brain” or “brain fog “—both short- and long-term.
In a recent clinical trial of women starting breast cancer treatment, those who both started aerobic training programs self-reported better mental performance and quality of life improvements as compared to those receiving regular care.
The studies are published by , Wiley , online in , CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
57 Canadian women in Ottawa and Vancouver were included in the study, which was dubbed the Aerobic Exercise and CogniTIVe Functioning in Women with breAsT cancer (ACTIVATE ) trial, and they were all diagnosed with stage I–II I breast cancer and starting chemotherapy. All females participated in 12–24 days of cardiac training: 28 started this practice when initiating treatment and 29 started after treatment conclusion.
Before the latter team started the exercise regimen, mental function analyses were performed before the treatment was started and after it was over.
Women who participated in the aerobic exercise regimen while receiving treatment self-reported better mental working and felt more mentally capable than those who received regular attention without practice.
Cognitive testing—a performance-based method used to measure a range of psychological functions—revealed similar mental achievement in the two groups after chemotherapy completion, yet.
” Our findings reinforce the case for making training analysis, recommendation, and referral a regular part of cancer treatment, this may help empower women living with and beyond cancer to positively manage both their physical and mental health during and after cure”, said lead author Jennifer Brunet, PhD, of the University of Ottawa.
According to Dr. Brunet, there are only a few training regimens that can be followed by breast cancer patients because many of the girls receiving treatment are still unactive enough.
” To tackle this, we advocate for collaboration across different sectors—academic, care, exercise, and community—to create exercise programs especially designed for women with breast cancer”, she said.
These initiatives should be simple to implement and make workout more available to all people who are dealing with the challenges of cancer care and treatment.
About this cancers, exercising, and cognition study news
Publisher: Sara Henning-Stout
Source: Wiley
Contact: Sara Henning-Stout – Wiley
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Start exposure.
A randomized controlled trial comparing aerobic exercise and cognitive functioning in breast cancer patients (ACTIVATE ) by Jennifer Brunet and colleagues. Cancers
Abstract
Aerobic exercise and cognitive function in breast cancer patients (ACTIVATE ): a randomized controlled trial
Background
As the prevalence of chemotherapy-related mental impairment grows, investigation into care options is important. The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention initiated during chemotherapy to regular care ( wait list control condition ) on ( 1 ) objectively measured cognitive function and self-reported cognitive function, as well as ( 2 ) the impact of cognitive impairment on quality of life ( QOL ) postintervention ( commensurate with chemotherapy completion ).
Methods
The two-arm, two-center randomized controlled trial involving aerobic exercise and cognitive function in women with breAsT cancEr (ACTIVATE ) was conducted in Ottawa and Vancouver ( Canada ). Fifty-seven women ( Mage,  , 48.8 , ± , 10 years ) diagnosed with stage I–II I breast cancer and awaiting chemotherapy were randomized to aerobic exercise initiated with chemotherapy ( nEX , = , 28 ) or usual care during chemotherapy with aerobic exercise after chemotherapy completion ( nUC , = , 29 ).
The intervention consisted of supervised aerobic workout and at-home training for 12 to 24 months. The primary outcome was objective cognitive function measured via 13 neuropsychological tests ( standardized to M ± SD,  , 0 , ± , 1 ), secondary outcomes of self-reported cognitive function and its impact on QOL were assessed via questionnaires. Data collected pro- and test ( the main end stage ) were analyzed.
Results
Four of six self-reported cognitive work results showed significant differences between the aerobic exercise group, despite there being no significant difference between the groups for achievement cognitive function outcomes after many tests.
Conclusions
Aerobic exercise did not show any significant differences in objective cognitive function after chemotherapy was finished among women initiating breast cancer, but the results do suggest that this intervention may be effective for improving self-reported cognitive function and its impact on QOL.
