Breast cancer patients often suffer from long-term physical symptoms of weakness. In this study, investigators propose to compare how two different low intensity physical exercise training programs can improve handgrip strength for breast cancer patients with symptoms of weakness. Using brain imaging, the study will also investigate changes in brain structure, and muscle activity associated with handgrip.
Participants will be randomized to either a no treatment group or one of two low intensity 6-week exercise training. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-intervention and 4 weeks post intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
23
Subjects will perform handgrip exercise training at low intensity (20% maximal force) 5 times a week for 6 weeks (more details not provided to keep study blinded)
Subjects will perform a different handgrip exercise training at low intensity (20% maximal force) 5 times a week for 6 weeks (more details not provided to keep study blinded)
Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Hand grip force
Primary outcome will be used to compare pre to post change in maximum force contraction at the end of the 6-week intervention between groups.Similar comparison will be done between retention test (4 weeks after training) and posttest (immediately after training).
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)
Pre to Post changes of functional brain to muscle coupling at maximum handgrip contraction
Functional brain to muscle coupling will be measured by computing the EMG-EEG coherence before training, after training, and 4 weeks after end of intervention. Values will be compared between groups.
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)
Pre to Post changes in EMG amplitude at maximum handgrip contraction
EMG of the right arm muscles will be assessed during maximum handgrip contraction before training, after training, and 4 weeks after end of intervention. Values will be compared between groups.
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)
Pre to Post changes in Brain activity during maximum handgrip contraction
functional magnetic resonance imaging will used to measure brain activity when subject performs maximum muscle handgrip contraction before training, after training. Values will be compared between groups.
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training)
Functional brain to muscle (EEG-EMG) phase coupling at low intensity handgrip muscle contraction.
Corticomuscular coherence between EEG signal from contralateral motor region and EMG signal from handgrip muscles will be computed while subjects perform handgrip contraction at 20% of their maximum force.Group x Time interaction will be measured.
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Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)
EEG Brain connectivity during low intensity handgrip muscle contraction
functional connectivity within the brain networks will be studied while subjects perform 20% of their maximum handgrip contraction. Group x Time interaction will be measured.
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training)
Fatigue sustained handgrip contraction task duration
Subjects will perform a sustained handgrip contraction task at 20% maximal force.The task duration (a measure of endurance) will be measured for each subject in the three groups, before and after training, and after 4 weeks of end of intervention. Group x Time interaction will be measured.
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)
functional brain to muscle coupling during fatigue
EMG-EEG coherence will be studied when subjects get fatigue after performing a sustained muscle contraction task at 20% maximal force. Group x Time interaction will be measured.
Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)