Nordic walking for women with breast cancer: A systematic review

Abstract

Nordic walking (NW) seems to be an interesting rehabilitation strategy for women with breast cancer (BC). No review article that has synthesised and summarised the existing scientific evidence about the effect of NW on BC survivors has been published so far. A systematic review was conducted aimed at identifying the characteristics and methodological quality of the studies that have analysed the effects of NW on women with BC. The critical appraisal of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was retrieved from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The methodological quality of the uncontrolled studies was evaluated by means of the Quality Assessment Tool for Before–After Studies with No Control Group. Nine investigations (four RCTs and five quasi‐experimental studies) were included in the final analysis. The RCTs showed a fair methodological quality, while the quasi‐experimental studies obtained a score ranging from “fair” to “poor”. Judging from the findings of the analysed studies, NW had a significant and positive impact on a number of BC symptoms, including lymphedema, physical fitness, disability and morbid perceptions. No adverse effects were reported. However, due to the methodological limitations observed, further research is needed to confirm such findings.

Physiotherapy and Physical Activity as Factors Improving the Psychological State of Patients With Cancer

“…Nordic walking (NW) seems to be an interesting rehabilitation method for women with breast cancer. Sánchez-Lastra et al ( 44 ) conducted a study that analyzed the effects of NW on women with breast cancer. The results of the studies analyzed indicated that NW had a significant and positive effect on a number of breast cancer symptoms, including lymphedema, physical performance, disability, and sense of illness.…”

Integrated Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Review of the State of the Art

“…Nordic walking (NW) defines an aerobic physical activity in which poles support walking; it is low-cost and easy to perform and, thus, it is a safe, attractive, and interesting physical exercise for patients affected by breast cancer sequelae (44). It has been demonstrated that NW provides positive changes in BCRL symptoms, reduces extracellular fluid, the circumference of the arm, and the LYE absolute and relative volumes (27,35,45). Furthermore, NW helps in women's perception of BCRL regarding heaviness and tightness and upper limbs disability.…”

“…Thus, the importance of qualified instructors' interfaces with the physician and the patient and a learning phase of performing NW before they perform it independently. A recent systematic review concluded that a safe prescription to perform NW in women with BCRL might be three times a week exercise, up to 1 hour per session, the intensity of 70-80% maximum heart rate, and 11-14 of perceived exertion scale (Borg rate) (45). Finally, no evidence exists regarding any adverse effect caused by NW (e.g., falls, commonly described in association with chemotherapy due to toxicity and osteoporosis).…”

The Impact of Nordic Walking on Bone Properties in Postmenopausal Women with Pre-Diabetes and Non-Alcohol Fatty Liver Disease

“…Nordic walking involves striding with the use of specially designed sticks and is a safe and relatively easy-to-learn form of fitness exercise. It is considered to be effective in patients with different chronic diseases [ 14 ], such as cardiovascular disease [ 15 ], aging [ 16 ], or women with breast cancer [ 17 ]. The movement sequences of Nordic walking make this physical activity suitable to support body posture and strengthen the muscles of the spine, shoulders, and hips [ 18 ].…”