Performing standard physical exercises leads to a 30% clinically significant reduction in the intensity of joint pain associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer, according to an online edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net These results were obtained in a randomized study that lasted 1 year..

"The set of exercises used in the HOPE study (Hormones and Physical Exercise) is what the US national guidelines recommend for healthy adults and cancer survivors.

It includes 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobics, as well as 2 strength training every week, ”Dr. Melinda L told at the Symposium on Breast Cancer in San Antonio.. Irwin. Dr. Irwin is the principal author of the study and heads the cancer control and prevention program at the Yale University Cancer Center (New Haven).

HOPE study included 121 women with HR-positive breast cancer.. All participants were overweight, had a sedentary lifestyle, but were able to do the exercises.. At the time of inclusion in the study, women suffered moderate arthralgia associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors: 5-7 points out of 10 on the Brief Pain Inventory scale after 18 months on the drug.

Approximately 2/3 of the participants in the history of the disease did not have indications of joint pain before the start of treatment with aromatase inhibitors; the rest reported a worsening of previous pain during therapy.. The participants were randomly assigned to groups, one of which continued the traditional treatment, and the second began to practice exercises additionally.. Women received written information about the importance of these activities..

The primary point of the study was a change in pain score on the BPI scale, which fell by as much as 30% in the exercise group.. This corresponded to a change in the subjective assessment of pain from "moderate" to "negligible". At the same time, according to Dr. Irwin, patients in the control group experienced some increase in AI-associated arthralgia..

The improvement in performance was more pronounced with each quarter, which implies a high efficiency of the long-term program.. The results were better than in studies using glucosamine, acupuncture and vitamin D supplements..

After 12 months of follow-up, participants from the active group each week spent an average of 159 minutes exercising, which is 110 minutes more than the control group. Compliance in the active group was good, about 70% of women attended classes in small groups 2 times a week.

In addition, the exercises led to an improvement in the physical fitness of the patients: the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) increased by 6.5% over the year of training, and the body weight decreased by 3%.

The HOPE study was the first randomized study that examined the effects of exercise on the side effects of aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer patients..

The impetus for conducting this study was the understanding of the fact that arthralgia is one of the most common side effects of AI, often forcing patients to interrupt treatment during the first year.. Poor compliance and premature discontinuation of treatment are serious factors that increase mortality in breast cancer..

HOPE results were enthusiastically received by the participants in the symposium.. In particular, doctors were impressed by the fact that 70% of patients showed high adherence to the program throughout the year.. They asked the author how it was possible to achieve such a result from women who had previously led a sedentary lifestyle..

Dr. Irwin said lifestyle changes are always a challenge.. In such cases, social support is important.. In the HOPE study, women received a paid gym membership and met in small groups under the guidance of the same trainer 2 times a week..

"Women really supported each other. And today, throughout the country, the number of free programs is growing, where people who have survived cancer have the opportunity to go to the gym for free for months here. For example, the Livestrong Foundation, in collaboration with the YMCA, offers such programs for local patients, "said Dr..

HOPE study funded by the US National Cancer Institute. Dr. Irwin did not report any conflicts of interest..

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