Author: Myers JS1, Mitchell M2, Krigel S3, Steinhoff A4, Boyce-White A5, Van Goethem K3, Valla M6, Dai J7, He J7, Liu W8, Sereika SM9, Bender CM10
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Office of Grants and Research, University of Kansas School of Nursing, MS 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA. jmyers@kumc.edu.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
<sup>3</sup>Midwest Cancer Alliance, University of Kansas Medical Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS, 66205, USA.
<sup>4</sup>Office of Grants and Research, University of Kansas School of Nursing, MS 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
<sup>5</sup>University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
<sup>6</sup>North Kansas City Hospital, 2750 Clay Edwards Drive, North Kansas City, MO, 64116, USA.
<sup>7</sup>Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
<sup>8</sup>Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
<sup>9</sup>Center for Research and Evaluation, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
<sup>10</sup>Nancy Glunt Hoffman Endowed Chair of Oncology Nursing, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Conference/Journal: Support Care Cancer.
Date published: 2018 Aug 21
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s00520-018-4430-8. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 256
PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of an 8-week Qigong intervention to improve objectively and subjectively assessed cognitive function in breast cancer survivors who were 2 months to 8 years post completion of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
METHODS: A randomized, single-blind, three-arm intervention pilot was conducted to compare Qigong to gentle exercise and survivorship support. Feasibility was measured by recruitment, group session attendance, and adherence to home practice for the two exercise groups. Changes in self-report and objectively measured cognitive function were compared between the three groups from baseline (T1) to completion of the intervention (T2) and 4 weeks post intervention (T3).
RESULTS: Fifty participants consented (83% of desired sample) with an overall attrition rate of 28%. Attrition was highest for the gentle exercise group (50%). Group attendance adherence ranged from 44 to 67%. The a priori established rate of 75% weekly attendance was not achieved, nor was the goal of 75% adherence to home practice for the two exercise groups (7 to 41%). Self-report of cognitive function improved most for the Qigong group (p = .01). Improvement was demonstrated for the Trail Making A (gentle exercise, p = .007) and F-A-S verbal fluency (support group, p = .02) tests. Qigong participants reported the most reduction of distress (p = .02).
CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that mindfulness-based exercise may be superior to gentle exercise alone or survivorship support for improving self-report of cognitive function and distress after treatment for breast cancer. The mindfulness component may enhance the positive impact of exercise on cognitive function.
KEYWORDS: Breast cancer; Cognitive function; Intervention; Mindfulness-based exercise; Qigong
PMID: 30128855 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4430-8