Abstract

Purpose. To compare the effects of resistance and aerobic exercises on cancer related fatigue and immunity in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods. sixty female patients with ages ranged from 30 to 60 years, diagnosed as breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy, complaining of cancer related fatigue and decreased immunity, were recruited from oncology department at Medical Research Institute in Alexandria and divided randomly into two equal groups in number; Group (A), received resistance exercises for 3 months, Group (B), received aerobic exercises for 3 months. Pretreatment, after 6 weeks and after 3 months of treatment assessment was done using Fatigue assessment scale (FAS), Hemoglobin (Hb) level test for fatigue and White blood cells count (WBCS)for immunity were done for all patients.

Results. The comparison between both groups post-treatment revealed statistically significant reductions in FAS, as well as improvement in Hb and WBCS count (p = 0.0001) in favor of group (B).

Conclusion. Aerobic exercise is more effective than resistance exercises in cancer related fatigue and immunity in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.

Key words:

cancer-related fatigue, immunity, aerobic exercise, resistance exercises, adjuvant chemotherapy