To investigate of the cardiorespiratory fitness of breast cancer patients with lymphedema and to understand the association between CRF and hand grip strength in breast cancer patients with lymphedema.

Patients with breast cancer who had treatment-related lymphedema were included retrospectively (n=20). The control group reviewed the medical records of females participating in health screening who had cardiopulmonary function test (n=33). CRF classified by aerobic capacity and cardiovascular response. To assess hand grip strength, by using a hand dynamometer was used. Two attempts were made with each hand and the average of the two scores was used. Body mass index (BMI), Beck Depression Index inventory (BDI), Montreal cognitive assessment-K (MOCA-K) were measured to investigate the association between handgrip strength and physical, psychological factors.

In breast cancer patients with lymphedema experimental, metabolic equivalent tasks (METs), peak oxygen consumption (VO₂ peak), anaerobic threshold were significantly lower than control group. The handgrip strength of affected arm is lower than unaffected arm. Handgrip strength showed no significant association with age, BMI, difference of circumference, BDI, MOCA-K. Handgrip strength showed no strong correlation with cardiorespiratory fitness.

To improve of quality of life and survival rate of breast cancer patients with lymphedema, it is important to educate aerobic and strengthening exercise.