Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women and is associated with significant treatment-related side effects, including fatigue, reduced quality of life (QoL), and decreased functional capacity. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, which integrate exercise and educational interventions, may mitigate these effects and improve both physical and mental health outcomes in BC survivors. This study investigates the effect of a 12-week CR program on QoL and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in BC survivors.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial involving 60 BC survivors who had completed chemotherapy within the past 3 months to 1 year. Participants were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (n=21) that completed a 12-week CR program and a control group (n=30) that received standard care. QoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire, and functional capacity was evaluated using the 6MWT. Pre- and post-intervention data, including blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), rate pressure product (RPP), and Borg dyspnea and fatigue scales, were analyzed.

Results: Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in QoL with a total FACT-B score of 30.62±17.50 compared to 8.00±20.80 in the control group (p<0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in physical (p=0.01), emotional (p=0.004), and functional (p<0.001) subscales. In terms of functional capacity, the 6MWT distance improved significantly in the intervention group (367.90±62.59 m vs. 334.20±67.48 m, p=0.02), with a significant increase in the percentage of the age-predicted distance. Additionally, there were significant reductions in SBP, HR, and RPP post-intervention in the intervention group (all p<0.001).

Conclusion: The 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improved both the functional capacity and quality of life in BC survivors. These findings support the integration of structured cardiac rehabilitation programs into the routine care of BC survivors to enhance recovery and overall well-being.