Does walking protect against decline in cognitive functioning among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy? Results from a small randomised controlled trial

PLoS One. 2018 Nov 28;13(11):e0206874. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206874. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Background: Cancer related cognitive impairments have been subjectively reported and objectively detected in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and are known to have a profound negative impact on productivity, psychosocial well-being and overall quality of life. Moderate levels of walking are known to be of benefit to the psychosocial well-being of those affected by breast cancer and for managing cognitive impairment in healthy adults, children, and the elderly. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a home-based, self-managed, moderate intensity walking intervention on subjective and objective cognitive functioning in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: A home-based, self-managed intervention that consisted of moderate levels of walking was compared to usual care among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy in a randomised controlled trial. Outcome measures included changes in subjective (CFQ) and objectively detected cognitive functioning (Stroop, SART and two subscales from the WAIS- Digit Span and Block Design). Fifty participants were randomised to either the intervention group (n = 25), who completed 12 weeks of moderate intensity walking, or to the control group (n = 25) mid-way through chemotherapy.

Results: Compared with the control group, the self-managed walking intervention had positive effects on perceived cognitive function but not on sustained attention, executive function, memory or visual spatial skills when assessed objectively using neuropsychological measures.

Conclusion: This home-based, self-managed intervention is beneficial for protecting against perceived cognitive decline in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. There is a need for further research to objectively assess cognitive decline within this population with larger sample sizes of patients.

Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50709297.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Cancer Survivors / psychology*
  • Cancer Survivors / statistics & numerical data
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / rehabilitation*
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Quality of Life
  • Self Report / statistics & numerical data
  • Self-Management / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Walking*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents

Associated data

  • ISRCTN/ISRCTN50709297

Grants and funding

The study was funded by Loughborough University as a part of a PhD project to KG. Dr Fehmidah Munir acknowledges support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, which is a partnership between University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research Leicester BRC or the Department of Health. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.