Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a hypopressive exercise program on postmenopausal cancer survivors: A pilot study

Background Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom during and after cancer treatment that negatively affects the patient's quality of life. Exercise is one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments for CRF. Multimodal exercise therapy programs that include hypopressive exercises, relaxation and myofascial release may be beneficial for CRF. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a multimodal program on CRF and lower limb functional strength in postmenopausal women diagnosed with cancer. Methods 7 postmenopausal women (age = 55.28 years; BMI = 26.05 kg/m2) who had a cancer diagnosis participated in a supervised and progressive 55-min class once per week for 12-weeks. CRF was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer Related Fatigue 12 and lower limb strength was assessed with the sit and stand test. Results No adverse events were reported during the training period and all participants completed the exercise protocol. There was a significant increase (p = 0.01) in lower limb functional strength (pre: 19.60 (SD = 2.19) vs post: 24.60(SD = 2.19)) with an effect size of d = 2.28 and a decrease in CRF (p = 0.245) (pre: 29.36 ± 24.42; post: 17.85 ± 14.23) with a trivial effect size (d Conclusions These preliminary findings indicate that a supervised once per week multimodal program that includes hypopressive exercises for postmenopausal cancer survivors increased lower limb functional strength without exacerbating their CRF. These findings support further randomized trials of hypopressive training programs on patients with cancer.