efeitos de um programa de caminhada sobre os níveis de fadiga em pacientes com câncer de mama effects of jogging program the fatigue level of breast cancer patients

Aim: This study aimed at verifying the effects of a physical exercise program (jogging) in the fatigue levels of breast cancer patients undergoing a chemotherapy treatment. Materials and methods: eight breast cancer patients, stages II and III who participated in adjuvant chemotherapy treatment were volunteers in this research. These patients were submitted in two assessments, one before the beginning of the program of physical exercise (jogging) and another in the end of twelve weeks. The sessions occurred three times a week and were constituted of five minutes stretching, thirty minutes ergometric treadmill (60% HRmax during the two first weeks, and 40 minutes ergometric treadmill 60% to 80% HRmax in the subsequent weeks) and 5 minutes stretching in the end. In order to assess the fatigue levels, Piper et al (1989) fatigue scale was used. Data were treated by the Wilcoxon Test. Outcomes: Meaningful differences (p < 0.05) among the outcomes pre and post tests occurred in the general fatigue variables, and also in the affective, behavioral, cognitive and sensorial dimensions. Conclusion: Data demonstrated that the physical exercise program (jogging) of twelve weeks was efficient to reduce the fatigue levels in breast cancer patients undergoing a chemotherapy treatment.