Comparison of water- vs. land-based exercise for improving functional capacity and quality of life in patients living with and beyond breast cancer (the AQUA-FiT study): a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patients living with and beyond breast cancer frequently exhibit several side effects that can impact quality of life and physical functioning way beyond diagnosis and cancer therapies. Traditional on-land exercise has shown to be effective in reducing several symptoms of BC but little is known about the role of water-based exercise in improving physical and psychological well-being.

Objectives: To compare land- vs. water-based exercise training for BC survivors to improve Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), cancer-related fatigue (CRF), physical functioning, body composition and physical activity in patients with BC.

Methods: A randomised, parallel group (1:1) controlled trial was conducted between 2020 and 2022. Patients were randomly allocated to complete a similar exercise training twice weekly during 12 weeks either on land (LG) using traditional gym equipment or in a swimming pool (WG) using body-weight exercises and water-suitable accessories. Both groups were supervised and monitored by an experienced physiotherapist. Main outcome was HRQoL (EORTC QLQ C30 and B23 module) and CRF measured with the Piper Scale. Secondary variables included functional capacity with the 6 Minutes Walking Test (6MWT), upper and lower body strength (handgrip strength and 30″ Sit-to-Stand (STS) test), body composition and objectively measured physical activity.

Results: 28 patients were assessed and randomised during the study period. One patient did not receive the allocated intervention due to skin issues and one patient was dropped out during the intervention. A significant effect of time was found for both symptom severity (F(₂,₅₂) = 6.46, p = 0.003) and overall functioning (F_1.67,43.45 = 5.215, p =0 .013) but no interaction was found between group and time. No effects were reported for CRF. Similar findings were reported for functional capacity (time effect F_1.231,32.019 = 16.818, p < 0.001) and lower body strength (time effect F_2,52 = 15.120, p < 0.001) as well as fat mass (time effect F_2,52 = 4.38, p = 0.017). Notably, a significant time per group interaction was reported for physical activity (F_2,52 = 6.349, p =0.003) with patients in the WG significantly improving PA levels over time while patients in the LG exhibited a marked decreased.

Conclusions: Exercise training either in water or on land can decrease symptom severity and improve functionality and body composition. Water-based training seems more effecting than land-based exercise to improve physical activity patterns over time.