A 12-week online supervised exercise program significantly improved peak oxygen uptake (+2.1 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) compared to usual care in breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy.
RCT (n=167)
Stratified randomization
No
Does a 12-week supervised online-delivered exercise program improve cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate variability in breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy?
A 12-week online-delivered supervised exercise program significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness in breast cancer survivors post-chemotherapy, though it does not differentially improve heart rate variability or quality of life compared to usual care.
Absolute Event Rate: 2.1% vs 0.77%
p-value: p=0.009
Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular and autonomic dysfunction following adjuvant chemotherapy, and exercise interventions may help mitigate these effects. This randomized prospective study evaluated the effects of a supervised, online-delivered exercise intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiac autonomic modulation, body composition, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy. Seventy-two women were allocated to an exercise group or usual care. The intervention consisted of a 12-week home-based exercise program conducted online, with aerobic intensity individualized to 60–80% of peak oxygen uptake. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the 6-min walk test, while heart rate variability was monitored longitudinally and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Body composition and patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-chemotherapy, and post-intervention. The online supervised exercise resulted in a significant improvement in peak oxygen uptake (+ 2.1 ml kg−1 min−1), which exceeded changes observed in the control group (p = 0.009). Improvements in 6-min walk distance and recovery of heart rate variability occurred irrespective of group allocation. Changes in body composition, quality of life and the improvement of heart rate variability metrics did not differ between groups.
Bohovicová et al. (Thu,) conducted a rct in Breast cancer (n=167). Online-delivered supervised exercise program (SAPA) vs. Usual care was evaluated on Change in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) (p=0.009). A 12-week online supervised exercise program significantly improved peak oxygen uptake (+2.1 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) compared to usual care in breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy.