Optimizing Pulmonary Health and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial Combining Incentive Spirometry and Aerobic Exercise

Objective

To investigate the combined effect of aerobic and breathing exercises using incentive spirometry on lung function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with breast cancer after radiation therapy (RT).

Design

A single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung.

Participants

Thirty-seven women aged 40-59 years post-RT breast cancer survivors divided into treatment (18 subjects) and control (19 subjects) groups.

Intervention

The treatment group engaged in thrice-weekly sessions of aerobic and breathing exercises using incentive spirometry, whereas the control group performed only aerobic exercises at the same frequency. Lung function was assessed using spirometry, and QoL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaires-Core30 (EORTC QLQ C30), both conducted before and after the exercise.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Lung function (assessed using spirometry) and QoL (measured using the EORTC QLQ C30).

Results

Between-group analyses revealed that the treatment group experienced significantly greater improvements than the control group in lung function (forced vital capacity increased by 7.72±3.51 vs. 3.45±1.22, P<.05), physical function (difference of 8.06±5.76 vs. 0.68±2.06, P<.05), dyspnea (difference of −22.22±22.92 vs. 0.00, P<.05), and fatigue (difference of −22.78±20.39 vs. −1.74±5.52, P<.05), with these improvements being clinically meaningful.

Conclusions

The addition of breathing exercises with incentive spirometry to aerobic exercise may improve lung function and QoL in patients with breast cancer who have completed RT.