Feasibility and outcomes of a nordic walking program for women following breast or ovarian cancer treatments

Abstract

Background: in the last few years there has been growing evidence of the benefits of physical exercise as an intervention to control cancer-related side effects such as cancer fatigue and pain. NordicWalking (NW) is a physical activity with significant physiological and psychosocial advantages over more traditional aerobic types of exercise such as walking or running. NW was further found to provide benefits in patients with lymphoedema secondary to breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Using a grant awarded by Susan G. Komen Organization and the technical support of Societa Polisportiva "G. Masi" based in Casalecchio Di Reno, Bologna, we organized a NW teaching program for breast or ovarian cancer operated women, with the aim of providing them with a tool for coping with anti-cancer treatment side effects and for the prevention and treatment of lymphoedema. Patients and Methods: we contacted three breast-operated women associations, and one ovarian cancer operated women association working in the metropolitan area of the city of Bologna. Subsequently, we organized meetings for the presentation of NW to women associations by offering their members to participate in a free NW course. The NW instructors had previously undergone special training to acquire specific skills to treat cancer patients. Result(s): During 2015, 58 cancer operated women joined the courses with an age range of 49 to 74 years and a mean age of 58.4 years. All women completed the course and the workout without showing any physical problem. In addition to the patients, other 60 accompanying persons participated in the courses. Conclusion(s): NWis a full body physical activity that is relatively easy to learn, and that does not require a specific previous physical condition. Owing to its low perceived exertion, NWis accessible to all the population (vulnerable and healthy) and throughout the whole lifespan. NW courses recorded a high level of participation by breast or ovarian cancer operated women and this initiative obtained a proper appreciation as the courses were fully completed by all enrolled participants. Therefore, this attests that this physical activity can be considered as a valid and safe proposal of simultaneous care and a rehabilitation practice after anti-cancer treatments.