The Benefits of a Therapeutic Exercise and Educational Intervention Program on Central Sensitization Symptoms and Pain-Related Fear Avoidance in Breast Cancer Survivors

Background: Central sensitization symptoms and pain-related fear avoidance are two common problems in breast cancer survivors. Non-pharmacologic interventions such as therapeutic exercise and patient ed-ucation can be effective in this population. Aims: This study aimed to: (1) analyze the benefits of a therapeutic exercise and educational program on central sensitization symptoms and pain-related fear avoidance in breast cancer survivors, and (2) explore the association between pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms. Design: A single group pre-post intervention study was conducted. Methods: Patients were recruited from the service of Medical Oncology of the University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, in Malaga (Spain). The intervention consisted of a therapeutic exercise and educational program that lasted 12 weeks, twice a week, for 1 hour. Two instruments were used: the Spanish version of the Central Sensitization Inventory and the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale. Results: A total of 82 breast cancer survivors participated in the study. Pre-post change on Central Sensitization Inventory was statistically significant ( p = .007). There was a trend towards a significant difference for the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale ( p = .062). There was a statistically significant correlation between pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms (r = 0.536, p < .001). Conclusions: The current study has provided preliminary evidence on the benefits of this intervention in pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms in breast cancer survivors. The Spanish version of the Central Sensitization Inventory and the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale demonstrated responsiveness to change. (c) 2022 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In a study on breast cancer survivors, therapeutic exercise and educational programs have shown benefits in improving central sensitization symptoms and pain-related fear avoidance, with a significant correlation between the two.