Análise das contribuições do exercício físico na qualidade de vida e fadiga de pacientes com câncer em tratamento quimioterápico

Cancer represents a global public health challenge, with chemotherapy being one of the main antineoplastic interventions. However, its adverse effects, especially cancer-related fatigue and pain, negatively impact quality of life (QoL) and functional capacity. This quasi-experimental, quantitative, and longitudinal study analyzed the contributions of a guided physical exercise protocol on fatigue, pain, and QoL in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The initial sample consisted of 30 adults followed at the Instituto Vida Viva (Varginha/MG), divided into an Intervention Group (IG, n=15), which received an instructional booklet and practical exercise training, and a Control Group (CG, n=15). After 30 to 45 days, 23 participants were reevaluated (IG n=13; CG n=10) using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and EORTC QLQ-C30. In the IG, mean pain intensity significantly decreased from 7.6 ± 1.5 to 3.9 ± 2.1 (Cohen's d = 1.98; p < 0.001), severe physical effort limitation dropped from 66.7% to 15.4%, and fatigue interference on mood was completely absent in 84.6% of patients. In contrast, the CG maintained or worsened symptomatic status, with increased leisure limitation (60.0%) and persistent fatigue and sleep disturbances. It is concluded that guided physical exercise constitutes an effective and safe non-pharmacological intervention, capable of mitigating pain and fatigue, thereby enhancing quality of life and functional autonomy.