The Effect of Virtual Exercise on Elderly Breast Cancer Survivors on Functionality, Muscular Strength, and Quality of Life Effecto-B):
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasia. Frequent for women and half of the new cases occur in people over 65 years of age. The treatment of BC generates adverse effects that deteriorate the physical functionality, muscle strength and quality of life of the survivors. This is more noticeable in elderly BC survivors. Physical exercise improves some adverse effects of BC, but few studies have focused on physical functionality, especially in older people. The elderly population reports the lowest adherence and lower level of physical activity. It is relevant to explore innovative and specific proposals for physical exercise for elderly survivors of BC. One solution may be virtual reality game-based exercise, which has been shown in healthy older people to significantly improve physical functionality and adherence compared to traditional physical exercise. The objective of our study is to estimate the feasibility and effect of a virtual reality-based exercise program on the functionality, muscle strength, and quality of life of older BC survivors, compared to a group undergoing traditional physical exercise.
• Women between 60 and 80 years old.
• Diagnosis of primary breast carcinoma.
• Treated with at least two of the following treatments: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapy.
• Minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 10 years after finishing treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy).
• Being able to walk at least 4 meters independently or with a cane as assistive technology