Integr Cancer Ther. 2018 Apr 1:1534735418766615. [Epub ahead of print]

Results From a PilotStudyof Handheld Vibration: Exercise Intervention Reduces Upper-Limb Dysfunction and Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: VibBRaStudy.

Kneis S, Wehrle A, Ilaender A, Volegova-Neher N, Gollhofer A, Bertz H.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Although there is evidence that breastcancerpatientsbenefit from exercising during treatment, exercising during radiotherapyand especially the effects on upper-limbdysfunctions have been infrequently assessed. Therefore, we primarily aimed to confirm our interventions’ feasibility and secondarily aimed to affect upper-limbdysfunctions and fatigue.

METHODS:

Twenty-twobreastcancerpatientsscheduled for radiotherapywere allocated to an intervention(IG) or a passive control group (CG) as they preferred. IG exercised 3×/week during 6 weeks of radiotherapy: cycling endurance, handheldvibration, and balance training. We documented adverse events and training compliance (feasibility) and assessed the range of shoulder motion (ROM), isometric hand grip strength, vibrationsense on the first metacarpophalangeal joint of the affected upper limb, and fatigue.

RESULTS:

We observed no adverse events and a training compliance of 98 %. IG’s ROM improved significantly (abduction: 11°; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5 to 20; external rotation: 5°, 95% CI 0 to 10), as did the hand grip strength (1.6 kg, 95% CI -0.6 to 3.1), while CG’s ROM did not change

CG’svibrationsense worsened (-1.0 points, 95% CI -1.5 to -0.5), while IG’s remained stable.

Changes in general fatiguelevels between IG (-2.0 points, 95% CI -3.0 to -1.0) and CG (0.5 points, 95% CI -1.0 to 4.5) revealed significant differences ( P = .008)

CONCLUSIONS:

Ourinterventionproved to be feasible and provides novel findings: it reduced fatiguelevels and interestingly, handheldvibrationexercises improved upper-limbfunction due to shoulder ROM, hand grip strength, and vibrationsense.

PMID: 29661032 DOI: 10.1177/1534735418766615