Chemotherapy-related
pain is a well-known side effect in
cancer patient receiving
chemotherapy. However, limited knowledge exists describing whether exercise exacerbates existing
pain. Aim of the research was to explore muscle and
joint pain experienced by women with
breast cancer receiving
adjuvant chemotherapy with
epirubicin and
cyclophosphamide followed by
docetaxel and factor support and concurrently participating in an exercise intervention. The study used individual semi-structured interviews (pre- and post-intervention). Fifteen women were interviewed. The multimodal group intervention comprised supervised training: high-intensity cardiovascular, heavy resistance and relaxation,
massage and body-awareness (9 h weekly, 6 weeks). The analysis revealed five categories: Abrupt
pain - a predominant side effect, cogitated
pain management, the adapted training, non-immediate exacerbation of
pain and summarised into the essence of
chemotherapy related muscle and
joint pain in exercise
breast cancer patients; exercise despite
pain. Findings indicate that the patients' perception of sudden onset of
chemotherapy-related muscle and
joint pain was not aggravated by training.
Pain intensity peaked between 2 and 9 days after
chemotherapy and is described to be stabbing
pain with a feeling of
restlessness in the body. The patients demonstrated a high adherence rate to the exercise intervention caused by their own willpower and camaraderie of the group.