Facility-Based Multi-Modal Rehab vs. Home-Based Resistance Exercise for Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

Long-term Evaluation of the Body Composition and the Impact of Resistance and Relaxation Exercise on Muscle Mass and Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer

This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness of a multi-modal facility-based rehabilitation program (therapist-led resistance exercise and relaxation training) versus a self-directed home-based resistance exercise program in post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Participants in both intervention groups will complete a 16-week program consisting of two exercise sessions per week.The multimodal, therapist-led approach is hypothesized to result in superior improvements in physical performance and quality of life outcomes compared to self-directed home exercise

Breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are associated with sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass and strength, which increases toxicity, surgical complications, and mortality risk. While resistance exercise is known to mitigate muscle loss, the synergistic effect of adding relaxation techniques to address the psychological and neuromuscular tension of cancer treatment is not well established. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of a multi-modal, facility-based program (elastic band resistance exercise combined with progressive muscle relaxation) versus a self-directed home-based elastic band resistance exercise program. The supervised, multi-modal intervention is hypothesized to offer superior results in muscle mass, physical performance, and quality of life compared to isolated resistance training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed primary breast cancer
• Stage I-III non-metastatic breast cancer following lumpectomy or mastectomy
• Completed adjuvant chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy)
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Able to understand and follow the study protocol
• Willingness to attend facility-based exercise training.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Metastatic (Stage IV) breast cancer
• Morbid obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m²)
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 99 mmHg)
• Presence of implantable medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, nerve stimulators)
• Presence of metallic surgical implants (e.g., total hip or knee replacements) that interfere with assessment devices
• Contraindications for resistance training (e.g., acute infectious disease, severe cardiac disease, severe respiratory insufficiency)
• Concurrent malignant diseases
• Current participation in intense systematic exercise training (defined as at least 1 hour, twice per week)
• Previous participation in an exercise intervention clinical trial.