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An online home-based exercise program improves autonomic dysfunction in breast cancer survivors
Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez1,2,3, Daniel Collado-Mateo1, Carmen Hinojo González4
1Sport Sciences Research Centre, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
Frontiers in Physiology
|October 16, 2023
Summary
This study shows that regular exercise improves heart rate variability (HRV) in breast cancer survivors, aiding autonomic recovery after treatment. Daily HRV monitoring effectively tracks exercise tolerance and progression in this population.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Oncology rehabilitation
- Autonomic nervous system function
Background:
- Exercise interventions show promise for improving outcomes in breast cancer survivors.
- Limited research exists on exercise's impact on autonomic dysfunction and exercise tolerance using daily heart rate variability (HRV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of a 16-week exercise program on autonomic modulation in breast cancer survivors.
- To examine the daily evolution of HRV and its relationship with exercise sessions in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- 29 patients post-chemotherapy/radiotherapy were randomized to exercise or control groups.
- The exercise group engaged in supervised resistance and cardiovascular training 3x/week remotely.
- Daily HRV (lnrMSSD, lnSDNN) was measured at baseline and 24, 48, 72 hours post-exercise.
Main Results:
- Significant group-by-month interaction observed for lnrMSSD and lnSDNN (p < 0.001).
- Exercise group showed significant HRV increments, while the control group exhibited decreases (p < 0.05).
- Differences in lnSDNN recovery time varied by month, and lnrMSSD differences emerged 24 hours post-exercise.
Conclusions:
- Daily exercise training sessions impact HRV in cancer patients.
- Exercise serves as a valuable post-treatment rehabilitation strategy for breast cancer survivors to address autonomic imbalance.
- Further research is needed to validate these findings on exercise and HRV in cancer survivors.
