Feasibility and effect of an exercise therapy program on physical activity level, self-esteem and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a 3-month intervention

Purpose: Different modalities of rowing have been studied, and dragon boat or felucca or llau ̈t training modes are the most analyzed in breast cancer (BC)1–3. However, other types of boats, such as recreational rowing boats with sliding seats, use different biome- chanical techniques, involving torso, legs, and arms in propulsion, and using two oars per rower. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of an exercise therapy program, including recreational row- ing, on physical activity level (PAL), self-esteem (SE) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with BC. Methods: The name of the project is Effect and efficacy of RowIng in breast CancEr survivors/The Same Boat (ERICE/TSB). A pre and post within-subject intervention, with 3 training sessions per week (adapted physical activity or pilates, walking and rowing) lasting one hour each, was carried out for 3 months. The study sample included 20 women (age: 55.8 ± 6.1 yrs; BMI: 24.6 ± 3.3 kg/m2) with BC (stages I, II, or III; surgery at least 6 months to a maximum of 20 years ago). The study was carried out at the Canottieri Corgeno of Lake Comabbio, Italy. The following questionnaires were adminis- tered before and after the intervention: General Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results: No dropouts occurred during the 3-month intervention and adherence to the exercise protocol was almost complete for all par- ticipants. The exercise therapy program did not lead to the development or worsening of pre-existing lymphoedema. The results showed improvements in PAL (1120 ± 1063 vs 1752 ± 1381 METs- min/sett), with a decrease in sedentary time (279 ± 153 vs 270 ± 121 min/day). No changes occurred in SE (20.4 ± 4.5 vs 19.8 ± 5.1). A positive effect on QoL was observed (70.0 ± 21.2 vs 73.8 ± 16.3). No significant differences were found. Conclusions: This is a novel study as no studies on sculling have been undertaken previously on BC survivors. A 12-week exercise therapy program tailored to women who have had BC increases PAL, leading to improved QoL. Adapted physical activity or pilates, walking and rowing exercise should be recommended as part of the overall treatment plan.