The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Acupressue on Hot flashes Among Women With Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in iran and all around the world, and one of the most common side effects of breast cancer treatment is recurring hot flashes and sleep disorders. Due to the prohibition of estrogen use in patients with breast cancer, treatment of hot flashes and sleep disorders is a major challenge in these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of exercise and acupressure on decreasing hot flashes and sleep disorders in patients with breast cancer.

Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 99 women with breast cancer referring to two divisions of the Oncology Clinic of Tabriz Medical Sciences University in Iran. Participants were assigned through random selection of three groups of exercise, acupressure and control. For members of acupressure group, acupressure was applied to the HE7, SP6 and HE GU points for 15 minutes three days a week during an 8-week period. For the exercise group, a moderate 60-minute aerobic exercise program 3 days a week for 8 weeks was designed. The control group received general education on lifestyle changes in order to reduce hot flashes.

Results :Data analysis results showed a significant reduction in the mean of hot flash scores in the two groups of acupressure and exercise in the 4th and 8th weeks compared to the control group. The hot flash adjusted mean difference score with 95% CI In acupressure group compare to the control group in 8th week was -4.9[-6.5-(-3.2)] and in exercise group compare to the control group in 8th week was -4.1[-5.8-(-2.5)]. However, acupressure and exercise did not significantly reduce the hot flash scores in either groups(p=0.660). The sleep disorder adjusted mean difference score with 95% CI In acupressure group compare to the control group in 8th week was -2.52[-3.73-(-1.41)] and In the exercise group compare to the control group in 8th week was -2.61[-3.91-(-1.33)] However, acupressure and exercise did not significantly reduce the sleep disorder scores in either group(p=0.992). In the acupressure group there wasn’t any side effects. In exercise group 2 women have mild leg injury and there are excluded from study.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that exercise and acupressure are two effective methods with negligible side effects to reduce hot flashes and sleep disorders in women with breast cancer. Considering the prevalence of hot flashes and sleep disorders in breast cancer patients, use of these two methods can be a good alternative to medical treatments for controlling and reducing these conditions.