ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11
INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer survivors frequently experience psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive complaints, which may persist or worsen throughout survivorship [1]. Evidence suggests that structured exercise programs may help attenuate or stabilize these symptoms, contributing to improved psychological well-being [2]. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week multicomponent intervention—including concurrent training, psychoeducation, and peer support—on psychological symptoms and subjective cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Eighteen women with a history of breast cancer participated in a 12-week intervention comprising supervised and individualized concurrent training, peer group sessions, and structured psychoeducational materials with psychologist support. Psychological outcomes were assessed pre-post intervention and included symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and subjective cognitive complaints (FACT-Cog). Paired samples tests (t-test or Wilcoxon) were used to compare pre- and post-intervention scores. RESULTS: Psychological outcomes remained stable from pre- to post-intervention across all assessed domains. No clinically meaningful deterioration was observed in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and subjective cognitive complaints over the intervention period. CONCLUSION: Although no significant improvements were detected, the maintenance of psychological and cognitive outcomes may be clinically relevant in a population typically at risk for worsening emotional and cognitive symptoms during and after cancer treatment. These findings support the potential protective role of multicomponent interventions combining structured exercise, psychoeducation, and peer support in oncological rehabilitation. Future studies should explore individualized response patterns and optimize program components to maximize psychological outcomes. This work was supported by National Funds by FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the following project UID/04045: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development (CIDESD). [1] (Zhang et al., 2025) [2] (Ramírez-Vélez et al., 2021).
Read CV Ana AntunesECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11
INTRODUCTION: Cancer associated cachexia is a multifactor syndrome characterized by progressive loss of weight, skeletal muscle mass, and commonly associated with advanced and gastrointestinal cancers. To date, no effective treatment are currently available; exercise has a strong rationale for potentially managing the loss of muscle mass, the progressive functional decline and improve quality of life (QoL), typically observed in the context of cachexia. Nevertheless, the evidence are still limited. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and the impact of structured exercise on physical fitness, body composition and QoL in patients (pts) with cachexia. METHODS: Pts with cancer-related cachexia were enrolled in a 3-months structured program, twice weekly, combining aerobic (10-25 min/session) and resistance training (five exercises, 2-3 sets of 8-12 rep) at moderate to vigorous intensity. Primary outcomes were feasibility (i.e. adherence, attendance) and safety, were monitored throughout the intervention. Secondary outcomes, assessed at baseline and post intervention included: i) body composition evaluated with bioelectrical impedance; ii) anthropometric measures, including body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) iii) functional capacity using 6-minute walking test (6MWT); iv) upper limb strength assessed with handgrip strength test (HGST); v) upper and lower flexibility using back scratch test (BST) and sit and reach test (SRT), respectively; vi) QoL evaluated with EORTC QLQ-C30; vii) physical activity levels assessed with Godin Leisure-Time Exercise. Descriptive analysis and absolute frequencies were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Five women (mean age 51.2 years; mean BMI 19.1kg/m²), with pancreatic (n=3), breast (n=1) and stomach cancer (n=1), affected by cancer-related cachexia and an unintentional weight loss ranging from 7% to 24% of usual body weight, participated in the study. Four pts had received previous anticancer treatment (chemotherapy) and four were still undergoing active treatment. Attendance and adherence to the prescribe sessions range from 54% to 96% and no dose modification were required. No serious adverse event was reported. Anthropometric measures (BW, BMI and WHR) remained stable for all pts; fat mass was decrease in four pts (-18.1%; -50.7%) while fat-free mass was maintained or increased in three pts (0.9%; 6.8%). Increases in 6MWT (5.5%; 12.5%) HGST (1.1%; 16.5%), and SRT (+13; +26 cm) were observed in four pts, whereas 2 pts enhanced BST ( -4; +5 cm). Four pts, improved functioning domains of QoL but also some symptoms, especially fatigue. CONCLUSION: A 3-months structured exercise was feasible and safe in patients with cancer-related cachexia. Exercise can maintain or improve muscle mass, functional capacity, strength, and QoL, supporting its role as a supportive strategy in cachexia management.
Read CV Christian CiurnelliECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11
INTRODUCTION: Advances in cancer treatments have improved survival, but many therapies induce cardiovascular toxicity, making cardiovascular disease a leading cause of mortality among cancer survivors. Elevated blood pressure is a common manifestation of this toxicity. Although aerobic exercise can acutely reduce blood pressure, whether exercise intensity influences this response during cancer treatment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare post-exercise hypotensive effects of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise in individuals undergoing cancer treatment. METHODS: Thirty-six participants receiving treatment for breast or colorectal cancer (stage 1 to 3a) are completing a randomized crossover trial including two work-matched aerobic exercise conditions performed on a cycle ergometer: 1) moderate-intensity exercise (MOD) and 2) high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE). The MOD condition consists of 32 min of cycling at 50% of the power output (PO) achieved during the final stage of the submaximal test (baseline visit). The HIIE condition consists of six cycles of 2 min at 110% PO interspersed with 2 min at 25% PO. Two familiarization sessions are performed before the experimental conditions to confirm exercise prescription. Blood pressure is measured pre-exercise, at 10-, 20-, and 30-min during exercise; every 5 min for 30 min post-exercise; and at 45- and 60-min post-exercise. RESULTS: Intermediate analyses indicated that exercise intensity (F=7.212, p=0.008), time (F=7.079, p<0.001), and their interaction (F=2.933, p<0.001) significantly affected blood pressure, with differences primarily observed during exercise. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise was higher during HIIE compared with MOD exercise (peak SBP: 159.7 ± 22.3 vs. 136.9 ± 27.1 mmHg), reflecting an intensity-dependent physiological response. Neither exercise condition elicited significant changes in post-exercise blood pressure. Pre-exercise blood pressure was relatively low prior to both conditions (MOD: 122.4 ± 14.6/77.8 ± 9.4 mmHg; HIIE: 122.2 ± 17.6/76.2 ± 10.8 mmHg), which may have limited the potential for post-exercise hypotension. CONCLUSION: At this stage of the study, moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise did not elicit post-exercise hypotension in individuals receiving cancer treatment, likely due to their low baseline blood pressure. In contrast, blood pressure responses during exercise were intensity-dependent and consistent with expected physiological responses. Completion of the ongoing trial will allow a more comprehensive characterization of post-exercise blood pressure regulation in this population.
Read CV Camille Tremblay LapriseECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11