Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of walking meditation on vascular function in breast cancer patients receiving Anthracyclines chemotherapy. Twenty-two breast cancer patients staging 1 and 2, aged 30-70 years, were studied. The participants were randomly assigned into either the walking meditation training group (WM; n=11) or the sedentary control group (CON; n=11). All participants in each group received 4 cycles of Anthracyclines chemotherapy (AC) every 3 weeks for 12 weeks. The WM group was subjected to home-base walking exercises that comprised of rhythmically squeezing rubber ball in both hands and was instructed to practice mindfulness while walking. The participants performed exercises at 60-70% heart rate reserve, 30 min/time, 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Cardiovascular fitness, vascular function, blood chemistry, psychological stress, fatigue, physical activity, and quality of life were measured. The 2x3 (groups x times) ANOVA repeated measurement followed by Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) multiple comparisons was used to determine the significant difference in all variables before receiving first AC, 2 weeks after receiving first AC (before the intervention) and 12 weeks after receiving AC and walking training (after the intervention). The results showed that endothelial function, peak aerobic capacity, physical activity and quality of life increased significantly (p<0.05) in WM. Systolic blood pressure, psychological stress level and LF/HF of heart rate variability were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in WM when compared with pre-training. In conclusion, walking meditation exercise program was effective in improving cardiovascular fitness, vascular reactivity and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing Anthracyclines chemotherapy.