Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience cognitive difficulties, commonly referred to as “chemo-brain” or “brain fog.” These cognitive impairments, which affect memory, concentration, and thinking abilities, can persist both short- and long-term. However, a recent clinical trial suggests that aerobic exercise may help mitigate these cognitive challenges. Women who started an aerobic exercise program during chemotherapy reported improvements in cognitive function and quality of life. The findings, published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, highlight the potential benefits of incorporating exercise into cancer care.
The study, called the Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Functioning in Women with Breast Cancer (ACTIVATE) trial, involved 57 women from Ottawa and Vancouver diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer and starting chemotherapy. All participants engaged in 12–24 weeks of aerobic exercise, with 28 women starting the exercise program at the beginning of chemotherapy and 29 women starting after completing chemotherapy. Cognitive function assessments were conducted before chemotherapy and after its completion.
Women who started aerobic exercise during chemotherapy reported significant improvements in their cognitive abilities compared to those who received standard care without exercise. While self-reported improvements were noted, neuropsychological testing, a method used to measure cognitive function objectively, showed similar results for both groups after chemotherapy.
Lead author Dr. Jennifer Brunet from the University of Ottawa emphasized the importance of incorporating exercise into cancer care. “Our findings strengthen the case for making exercise assessment, recommendation, and referral a routine part of cancer care. This may empower women living with and beyond cancer to actively manage both their physical and mental health during and after treatment,” said Dr. Brunet.
Despite the potential benefits of exercise, many women undergoing chemotherapy remain insufficiently active. Dr. Brunet advocates for collaborations between academic, healthcare, fitness, and community sectors to develop exercise programs tailored to the needs of women with breast cancer. These programs should be accessible and easy to adopt, ensuring that more women can benefit from physical activity during cancer treatment and recovery.
As more research emerges, the role of exercise in improving the well-being of cancer patients continues to gain attention. The ACTIVATE trial adds to the growing body of evidence that physical activity can help reduce the cognitive challenges associated with chemotherapy and improve the overall quality of life for breast cancer patients.
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