Integrating Exercise and Rehabilitation into Breast Cancer Care: Insights from a Recent Clinical Trial

A groundbreaking randomized controlled trial has demonstrated the benefits of incorporating exercise and rehabilitation services directly into the care pathway for breast cancer patients. This innovative program aims to connect newly diagnosed individuals—those with stage I–III breast cancer scheduled for surgery—to tailored exercise and rehabilitation services starting from diagnosis and continuing throughout treatment. Participants responded positively, highlighting improvements in physical function, symptom management, and overall quality of life.

The study, published in the journal Cancer, employed the CORE (Comprehensive Oncology Rehabilitation and Exercise) clinical workflow algorithm over a 24-week period. It involved 72 patients in the United States who were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either the CORE program or standard care. Patients were triaged based on self-reported data into different service categories: exercise, rehabilitation, or self-managed exercise.

Those requiring exercise services participated in hospital-based programs designed to enhance fitness and physical strength, while individuals with complex neurological or musculoskeletal deficits received personalized rehabilitation assessments and interventions to address specific impairments such as limited shoulder mobility or nerve injuries. Interestingly, 93% of the participants completed the triaging process, and 62% of those referred to services engaged fully with their assigned programs.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many reported significant relief from treatment-related symptoms and a strong motivation to maintain physical activity. The study's senior author, Dr. Adriana M. Coletta from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, emphasized that the CORE model could serve as a scalable workflow to seamlessly integrate these supportive services into routine cancer care. This approach aligns with national efforts, notably by the American College of Sports Medicine, to make exercise and rehabilitation standard components in oncology treatment pathways.

For centers lacking embedded services, the study recommends using the triaging algorithm in collaboration with resources such as the American College of Medicine's Moving Through Cancer Exercise Program Directory. Overall, this research underscores the importance of early and continuous exercise and rehabilitation interventions in improving outcomes for breast cancer patients, marking a significant step toward holistic, patient-centered cancer care.