Speakers
Description
Abstract
Background:
Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is common among women with breast cancer, yet no pharmacologic prevention exists. Exercise may improve cognition after treatment but less is known about how physical activity (PA) during chemotherapy relates to cognitive outcomes.
Methods:
This secondary analysis included women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy (n=38). Step counts were assessed via Fitbit at the beginning of treatment (T1), during treatment (T1-T2), and at treatment completion (T2). Cognitive outcomes at T2 included objective neuropsychological tests and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Cognition (FACT-Cog). Linear regression and mixed effects models examined associations between step counts and cognitive outcomes, and group (e.g., PA maintainers vs. PA decliners) by time differences.
Results:
T1 step counts were not associated with most cognitive outcomes, although higher T1 steps were associated with faster Trails B completion time (β=−10008 ms, p=0.017). In contrast, maintaining higher step counts T1-T2 was associated with better working memory accuracy on the N-back n2 (β=1.24, p=0.03) and Spatial Working Memory two-dimensional (β=1.24, p=0.02) tasks. Participants with ≥5000 average steps/day showed faster Flanker reaction time (βs=-116.01 & -151.67, congruent and incongruent, both ps=0.02). A significant group by time interaction was observed for Spatial Working Memory two-dimensional accuracy (β=2.30, p=0.020), with more favorable trajectories among PA maintainers over T1-T2. No consistent associations were observed for subjective cognition, although several objective cognitive outcomes showed moderate effect sizes.
Conclusion:
In this secondary analysis of women undergoing chemotherapy, baseline step counts were associated with faster processing speed, whereas higher step counts during chemotherapy were associated with better working memory accuracy. Participants who maintained physical activity over T1-T2 showed more favorable working memory trajectories. Together, these findings highlight a potential time-sensitive exercise-cognition relationship and suggest that maintaining physical activity during chemotherapy may help preserve specific cognitive functions.
Keywords
Physical Activity; Chemotherapy; Cognition; Breast Cancer
| Abstract submitters declaration | yes |
|---|---|
| Conflict of Interest & Ethical Approval | yes |
