Exercise for PHYSICAL and MENTAL FATIGUE in People with Cancer

Weakness and cognitive impairment (poor memory and distractibility) are among the most common complaints in cancer patients. Studies have proven that fatigue symptoms also seen with aging decrease through physical exercise. Based on this information, researchers investigated in cancer patients exercise's effect on weakness/fatigue and cognitive impairmentas their research question.

The study followed people aged 28 to 79, totaling 299 breast cancer patients, using a smartphone mobile application developed for the study. The mobile application recorded daily physical exercise levels and asked questions measuring memory, attention and multitasking. According to the results, people doing moderate and vigorous exercise / sports had higher rates of answering questions correctly.

Exercise appears particularly to reduce complaints in breast cancer patients such as common fatigue and declining cognitive function. Many think exercising will make them more tired, but the results show the opposite: regular exercisehelps people feel more energetic and improves cognitive functions.

Study researcher Dr. Ehlers believes cognitive decline may be mediated by fatigue. Continuing the research, the aim is to establish how physical exercise improves cognitive function. Dr. Ehlers also offers this message to cancer patients: Exercise, even if only a 10-minute walk. Exercise is not a miracle method, but I am sure you will see its many benefits.

Particularly in patients whose physical condition is suitable, moderate-level exercise has been shown in a recent large assessment to be safe, effectively reduce fatigue and increase tolerance. It is important to emphasize that regular light-to-moderate-paced walking is an applicable option for both physical and bodily fatigue.