Research and News
Thera-Band strengthening exercises lessen fatigue for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy
Breast and prostate cancer patients often suffer from cancer-related fatigue. While not well-understood, cancer-related fatigue may hamper a cancer patient’s recovery and quality of life. Researchers at the University of Rochester investigated the feasibility and results of 4 weeks of home-based aerobic exercises combined with progressive Thera-Band® resistance band strengthening exercises. 38 patients with breast or prostate cancer beginning radiation therapy were randomized into a control group or exercise group. The exercise group subjects were given an exercise kit containing written instructions, a pedometer, and 3 progressive Thera-Band resistance bands. They exercised 7 days a week and were encouraged to walk 10,000 steps a day for the aerobic component. They also performed 11 upper body exercises with progressive Thera-Band resistance (Download the Thera-Band cancer radiation therapy strengthening exercise program here).
The exercise group demonstrated good adherence (79%), and reported significantly more physical activity levels than the control group at the 3-month follow-up. In addition, the exercise group reported significantly less fatigue and higher quality of life compared to the control group. While not statistically significant, the exercise group maintained their muscle mass at 3 months follow-up, while the control group lost muscle mass, a common side effect of cancer treatment. The authors concluded, “The combination of home-based aerobic (walking) and resistance (therapeutic bands) exercise during radiation therapy is safe, easy to implement in a busy radiation oncology clinic, well-adhered to by patients undergoing radiation therapy, and has a positive influence on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in females diagnosed with breast cancer and males diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
REFERENCE: Mustian KM, et al. 2009. A 4-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program during radiation therapy: A pilot randomized clinical trial. J Supportive Oncology: 9:158-167.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Cancer Resource Center Here
Disclosure: Thera-Band Academy provided the bands used in this study
Related posts:
- Thera-Band® resistance helps female cancer survivors keep fit after chemotherapy
- Thera-Band exercises help cancer recovery
- Exercise program for Leukemia successful
- Thera-Band® exercises safe and effective for patients with hemophilia and bleeding disorders
- Physical therapy with Thera-Band products effective after surgical repair of ankle fracture
| Print article | This entry was posted by Dr. Phil Page on October 26, 2010 at 6:52 am, and is filed under Research Updates, Thera-Band Elastic Resistance. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
No comments yet.
No trackbacks yet.
Thera-Band exercise program can improve lower limb biomechanics in females
about 3 weeks ago - No comments
Female athletes are particularly susceptible to anterior knee pain and injury to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This increased risk is thought to result from poor dynamic control of the hip and knee, particularly when the foot hits the ground. The inability to control hip adduction, knee valgus, and internal rotation in the transition from…
Announcing the Thera-Band® Resistance Intensity Scale for Exercise (RISE)
about 2 months ago - No comments
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is commonly used during exercise to indicate the intensity of exercise. Originally developed and used in cardiac rehab and aerobic exercise, more recently, RPE is also being used to regulate exercise intensity during resistance exercises. In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends using RPE to dose resistance…
Exercises after Achilles tendon reconstruction: an EMG-based progression
about 4 months ago - No comments
Post-operative rehabilitation depends on 3 people: the surgeon, the patient, and the therapist. Obviously, the surgeon must be technically proficient, the patient must be compliant, and the therapist must promote healing without damaging the surgical repair. Orthopedic surgeons often have therapists follow specific rehabilitation protocols, usually based on tissue-healing timeframes. Prescribing therapeutic exercise at the…
A better way to prescribe shoulder rehab exercise intensity?
about 5 months ago - No comments
Physical and occupational therapists often use both elastic and dumbbell resistance during shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Unfortunately, many therapists arbitrarily assign resistance levels to patients during their exercises based only on clinical experience. In the fitness setting, RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) scales have been used successfully in dosing the intensity of both isotonic and Thera-Band®…
Can we use perceived exertion to dose elastic exercise intensity?
about 5 months ago - No comments
Several studies have suggested that Thera-Band® resistance is as effective as isotonic resistance (Andersen et al. 2010, Colado & Triplett 2008) with regard to muscle strengthening, power, endurance as well as its’ impact on body composition. One of the difficulties in comparing elastic and isotonic training programs is ensuring each group exercises at the same…
Are unstable surfaces appropriate for rehabilitation of low back pain patients?
about 8 months ago - 2 comments
Unstable surfaces have been suggested to be used in training trunk and core stability. However, the use of unstable surfaces in training has come under question lately with research suggesting lower levels of activation compared to stable surfaces (Behm et al., 2010). The instability requires additional muscle activation to maintain stability. Therapists sometimes prescribe exercises…
Researchers in Spain investigate Thera-Band training programs
about 8 months ago - No comments
Part 3 of “Thera-Band Academy well-represented at ACSM annual meeting” Researchers in Spain have shown that Thera-Band® elastic resistance is as effective as weight machines in improving strength in middle-aged women. They wanted to compare the effectiveness of elastic resistance training to weight machines and aquatic resistance exercises. 72 postmenopausal women were assigned to one…
Developing better exercise programs for breast cancer survivors
about 8 months ago - No comments
Breast cancer survivors are often left with fatigue from chemotherapy, as well as pain and decreased upper extremity range of motion after surgery. Several studies featured on the Academy blog have shown that Thera-Band® elastic resistance exercises can improve quality of life, decrease fatigue, and improve other physical aspects such as strength and range of…
Thera-Band exercises can improve fitness and function in older women
about 1 year ago - No comments
As women age, the transition to menopause often results in an increase in body fat and a reduction in muscle mass. This change in body composition is also associated with a decline in function and an increase in physical disability. German researchers evaluated the effectiveness of an exercise program for community-dwelling older females they developed…
Clinical management of “frozen shoulder” features Thera-Band products
about 1 year ago - No comments
Frozen shoulder, or “adhesive capsulitis,” affects nearly 5% of the population. It remains a painful, debilitating and difficult-to-treat diagnosis. Dr. Phil Page and Andre Labbe published a paper in the North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy that reviewed the current concepts in physical therapy treatment for frozen shoulder patients. They reviewed interventions such as…
