Cuesta-Vargas, A.I., Buchan, J., & Arroyo-Morales, M. (2014). A multimodal physiotherapy programme plus deep water running for improving cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. European Journal of Cancer Care, 23, 15–21.
To assess feasibility and effectiveness of aquatic-based exercise in the form of deep water running as part of a multimodal physiotherapy program for breast cancer survivors in an effort to decrease cancer-related fatigue
Eight week program of one hour sessions, three times per week, of multimodal physiotherapy program combined with deep water running delivered by physiotherapists in groups of 8–10 participants. Each session included 30 minutes of land-based exercise, followed by 20 minutes of deep water running.
Statistically significant differences in fatigue were found between groups after eight weeks, with the intervention group reporting greater improvement in behavioral severity, affective/meaning, and sensory fatigue.
Demonstrated positive effects of exercise on cancer-related fatigue. Supports prior studies that demonstrated greater improvement combining educational and exercise programs
This is a difficult program to replicate, but it appears that it is likely to be effective in reducing cancer-related fatigue.