Ergun, M., Eyigor, S., Karaca, B., Kisim, A., & Uslu, R. (2013). Effects of exercise on angiogenesis and apoptosis-related molecules, quality of life, fatigue and depression in breast cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer Care, 22, 626–637.
Evaluate moderate intensity exercise programs for patients with breast cancer and their effect on several immune indicators as well as on fatigue, depression, and quality of life
Lab was obtained at week 0 and 12 and analyzed. Quality of life, fatigue, and depression were evaluated before and after the exercise program using tools mentioned. Patients were assigned to one of three groups. All were provided education. Group one did supervised exercise consisting of 45 minutes per day three times per week and brisk walking for 30 minutes per day three times per week. Group two did brisk walking for 30 minutes per day three times per week. Group three received education only. Patients wrote down their progress, and groups two and three were interviewed over the phone once a week. Arm circumference was measured to control for lymphedema at zero, one, two, and three months.
PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment
Prospective, randomized controlled study
Demographics were similar among the three groups. Exercise groups had a statistically significant decrease in some of the biomarkers, while the education group had a statistically significant increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels. Functional score and global health score in both exercise groups increased. Depression score was reduced in the supervised exercise group (p < .05). However, no significant differences were seen between groups after the intervention.
Significant changes in biomarkers were found at the end of 12 weeks, and improvements were seen in quality of life and depression in the supervised and unsupervised exercise groups.
Nurses encouraging patients with breast cancer to stay physically active and adopt a moderate exercise program is important to improve quality of life and help with symptoms of depression.