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Effects of weight training on quality of life in recent breast cancer survivors

The Weight Training for Breast Cancer Survivors (WTBS) study

  1. Tetsuya Ohira M.D.1,
  2. Kathryn H. Schmitz Ph.D.1,2,†,*,
  3. Rehana L. Ahmed Ph.D.1,
  4. Douglas Yee M.D.3

Article first published online: 27 MAR 2006

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21829

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 106, Issue 9, pages 2076–2083, 1 May 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ohira, T., Schmitz, K. H., Ahmed, R. L. and Yee, D. (2006), Effects of weight training on quality of life in recent breast cancer survivors. Cancer, 106: 2076–2083. doi: 10.1002/cncr.21829

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  2. 2

    Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  3. 3

    University of Minnesota Cancer Center, MMC 806, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  1. †

    Fax: (215) 573-2265

*Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 423 Guardian Dr., 9th Floor, Blockley Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 APR 2006
  2. Article first published online: 27 MAR 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 22 NOV 2005
  4. Manuscript Revised: 7 NOV 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 16 SEP 2005

Funded by

  • Susan G. Komen Foundation. Grant Number: BCTR0100442
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH). Grant Numbers: M01-RR00400 to the UMN GCRC, T32 CA09607-15, P30 CA77398

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Keywords:

  • breast neoplasms;
  • cancer survivors;
  • exercise;
  • psychological factor;
  • quality of life;
  • weight training

To examine the effects of weight training on changes in quality of life (QOL) and depressive symptoms, a randomized intervention trial was performed in 86 recent breast cancer survivors. Over 6 months, the physical global and psychosocial global QOL score improved in the treatment group compared with the control group. Increases in upper body strength and lean mass were correlated with improvements in physical global and psychosocial global score, results that show that twice-weekly weight training for recent breast cancer survivors may result in improved QOL, in part, via changes in body composition and strength.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Aerobic exercise training has been shown to have beneficial effects on quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors. However, the effects of weight training on psychological benefits are unknown. We sought to examine the effects of weight training on changes in QOL and depressive symptoms in recent breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 86 survivors (4-36 months posttreatment) was randomized into treatment and control groups. The primary outcomes were changes in QOL (CARES short form) and depressive symptoms (CES-D) between baseline and month 6 in this randomized controlled trial.

RESULTS

Over 6 months the physical global QOL score improved in the treatment group compared with the control group (Standardized Difference = 0.62, P = .006). The psychosocial global score also improved significantly in the treatment group compared with the control group (Standardized Difference = 0.52, P = .02). There were no changes in CES-D scores. Increases in upper body strength were correlated with improvements in physical global score (r = 0.32; P <.01) and psychosocial global score (r = 0.30; P <.01). Increases in lean mass were also correlated with improvements in physical global score (r = 0.23; P <.05) and psychosocial global score (r = 0.24; P <.05).

CONCLUSION

Twice-weekly weight training for recent breast cancer survivors may result in improved QOL, in part via changes in body composition and strength. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.

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