After undergoing chemotherapy, up to 60% of the cancer patients face cognitive problems which hampers their quality of life (QoL). A study was conducted to see whether an exercise regimen would enhance cognitive abilities in breast cancer patients who were exposed to chemotherapy, 2-4 years post diagnosis.
A randomized controlled trial with an exercise or control group, was conducted with patients having self-reported cognitive problems as well as lower performance on neurophysiological tests. The exercise intervention was carried out over a 6-month period, during which time the patients were subjected to a supervised Nordic/power walking (2h/week) and aerobic and strength training (2h/week).
The two groups were randomized as exercise (n=91) and control group (n=90). Out of the 181 patients, two-thirds followed more than 80% of the exercise sessions, making their physical fitness far better than the control group. There was hardly any difference in the memory function of the interventional group. There were changes observed in the self-reported cognition, fatigue inventory, QoL assessment, and depression.
During the 6-month study period, the chemotherapy-exposed breast cancer patients were found to have improved their cognitive skills. There was an indication of a positive effect of exercise in highly fatigued patients related to tested cognitive functioning.
Source:
Koevoets EW, Schagen SB, de Ruiter MB, et al. Effect of physical exercise on cognitive function after chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial (PAM study). Breast Cancer Res. 2022;24(1):36.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35619188/
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