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Nordic walking as an exercise intervention to reduce pain in women With aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia: a feasibility study

Nordic walking as an exercise intervention to reduce pain in women With aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia: a feasibility study
Nordic walking as an exercise intervention to reduce pain in women With aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia: a feasibility study
Context

Women taking aromatase inhibitors as treatment for breast cancer commonly experience joint pain and stiffness (aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia [AIAA]), which can cause problems with adherence. There is evidence that exercise might be helpful, and Nordic walking could reduce joint pain compared to normal walking.

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of a trial of Nordic walking as an exercise intervention for women with AIAA.

Methods

A feasibility study was carried out in a sample of women with AIAA using a randomized control design. Women were randomized to exercise (six-week supervised group Nordic walking training once per week with an increasing independent element, followed by six weeks 4 × 30 minutes/week independent Nordic walking); or enhanced usual care. Data were collected on recruitment, retention, exercise adherence, safety, and acceptability. The Brief Pain Inventory, GP Physical Activity Questionnaire, and biopsychosocial measures were completed at baseline, six and 12 weeks.

Results

Forty of 159 eligible women were recruited and attrition was 10%. There was no increased lymphedema and no long-term or serious injury. Adherence was >90% for weekly supervised group Nordic walking, and during independent Nordic walking, >80% women managed one to two Nordic walking sessions per week. From baseline to study end point, overall activity levels increased and pain reduced in both the intervention and control groups.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that women with AIAA are prepared to take up Nordic walking, complete a six-week supervised course and maintain increased activity levels over a 12-week period with no adverse effects.
0885-3924
548-559
Fields, Jo
2ade3101-8f8f-4e70-9f3c-7f0a2dd86ae6
Richardson, Alison
3db30680-aa47-43a5-b54d-62d10ece17b7
Hopkinson, Jane
67871a3a-e0b1-405d-aaff-2823a47ac220
Fenlon, Deborah
52f9a9f1-1643-449c-9856-258ef563342c
Fields, Jo
2ade3101-8f8f-4e70-9f3c-7f0a2dd86ae6
Richardson, Alison
3db30680-aa47-43a5-b54d-62d10ece17b7
Hopkinson, Jane
67871a3a-e0b1-405d-aaff-2823a47ac220
Fenlon, Deborah
52f9a9f1-1643-449c-9856-258ef563342c

Fields, Jo, Richardson, Alison, Hopkinson, Jane and Fenlon, Deborah (2016) Nordic walking as an exercise intervention to reduce pain in women With aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia: a feasibility study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 52 (4), 548-559. (doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.03.010). (PMID:27265816)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Context

Women taking aromatase inhibitors as treatment for breast cancer commonly experience joint pain and stiffness (aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia [AIAA]), which can cause problems with adherence. There is evidence that exercise might be helpful, and Nordic walking could reduce joint pain compared to normal walking.

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of a trial of Nordic walking as an exercise intervention for women with AIAA.

Methods

A feasibility study was carried out in a sample of women with AIAA using a randomized control design. Women were randomized to exercise (six-week supervised group Nordic walking training once per week with an increasing independent element, followed by six weeks 4 × 30 minutes/week independent Nordic walking); or enhanced usual care. Data were collected on recruitment, retention, exercise adherence, safety, and acceptability. The Brief Pain Inventory, GP Physical Activity Questionnaire, and biopsychosocial measures were completed at baseline, six and 12 weeks.

Results

Forty of 159 eligible women were recruited and attrition was 10%. There was no increased lymphedema and no long-term or serious injury. Adherence was >90% for weekly supervised group Nordic walking, and during independent Nordic walking, >80% women managed one to two Nordic walking sessions per week. From baseline to study end point, overall activity levels increased and pain reduced in both the intervention and control groups.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that women with AIAA are prepared to take up Nordic walking, complete a six-week supervised course and maintain increased activity levels over a 12-week period with no adverse effects.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 7 March 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 3 June 2016
Published date: October 2016
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 399112
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/399112
ISSN: 0885-3924
PURE UUID: e6ddfe43-079f-41ad-bc4b-71a5062d894c
ORCID for Alison Richardson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3127-5755

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 05 Aug 2016 10:26
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:47

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Contributors

Author: Jo Fields
Author: Jane Hopkinson
Author: Deborah Fenlon

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