Health-related quality of life and biomarkers in breast cancer survivors participating in tai chi chuan
Menée auprès de 21 survivantes d'un cancer du sein, cette étude américaine évalue l'efficacité d'un programme d'exercices de tai chi chuan, un art martial chinois, pour améliorer leur qualité de vie
Breast cancer survivors experience diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We report on the influence of tai chi chuan exercise (TCC) on HRQOL and explore associations between changes in HRQOL and biomarkers. Methods Breast cancer survivors ( N = 21) were randomly assigned to TCC or standard support therapy (SST) for 12 weeks (three times/week; 60 min/session). Interleukin-6, interleukin-8 (IL-8), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IBFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, glucose, insulin, and cortisol were measured pre- and postintervention. Overall HRQOL and subdomains were assessed at preintervention (T1), midintervention (T2) and postintervention (T3) and biomarkers at T1 and T3. Results The TCC group improved in total HRQOL (T1–T2:CS = 8.54, P = 0.045), physical functioning (T1–T2:CS = 1.89, P = 0.030), physical role limitations (T1–T2 CS = 1.55, P = 0.023), social functioning (T1–T3:CS = 1.50, P = 0.020), and general mental health (T1–T2:CS = 2.67, P = 0.014; T1–T3:CS = 2.44, P = 0.019). The SST improved in social functioning (T1–T2:CS = 0.64, P = 0.043) and vitality (T1–T2:CS = 0.90, P = 0.01). There were relationships between changes in IGF-1 and overall HRQOL ( r = −0.56; P < 0.05), physical role limitation ( r = −0.68; P < 0.05), and social functioning ( r = −0.56; P < 0.05). IGFBP-1 changes were associated with physical role limitations changes ( r = 0.60; P < 0.05). IGFBP-3 changes were associated with physical functioning changes ( r = 0.46; P ≤ 0.05). Cortisol changes were associated with changes in physical role limitations ( r = 0.74; P < 0.05) and health perceptions ( r = 0.46; P < 0.05). Glucose changes were associated with emotional role limitation changes ( r = −0.70; P < 0.001). IL-8 changes were associated with emotional role limitation changes ( r = 0.59; P < 0.05). Discussion/conclusions TCC may improve HRQOL by regulating inflammatory responses and other biomarkers associated with side effects from cancer and its treatments. Implications for cancer survivors TCC may be an intervention capable of improving HRQOL in breast cancer survivors.