Effects of Different Exercise Interventions on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Integrative cancer therapies 2019, Vol.18, p.1534735419880598
• Main Authors: Odynets, Tetiana, Briskin, Yuriy, Todorova, Valentina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - physiopathology; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Emotions; Emotions - physiology; Exercise - physiology; Exercise - psychology; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Pilates; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Yoga; Yoga - psychology
• ISSN: 1534-7354; 1552-695X; 1552-695X
• DOI: 10.1177/1534735419880598

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different exercise interventions on quality of life parameters in breast cancer patients during 1 year of outpatient rehabilitation. Material and Methods: A total of 115 breast cancer patients met the eligibility criteria and completed the study. Participants were randomly allocated for the water exercise interventions (group A, n = 45), for the Pilates exercise interventions (group B, n = 40), and yoga exercise interventions (group C, n = 30). The 3 groups attended relevant programs for 1 year and received 144 rehabilitation sessions. Quality of life parameters were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire with a specific module for breast cancer patients (FACT-B). Quality of life data were recorded at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of exercise interventions. Results: A significant increase in quality of life indicators was observed in participants of all groups. Based on the results of the 12-month monitoring, patients of group A scored significantly more points for emotional well-being compared with group B and group C by 1.40 points (P < .05) and 1.69 points (P < .01), respectively, as well as by breast cancer subscale by 2.15 points (P < .05) compared with group B. Patients in group C scored significantly better compared with group A in social/family well-being by 2.80 points (P < .01). Conclusions: It was found that using water exercise intervention is more effective for improving emotional well-being and decreasing negative symptoms associated with breast cancer treatment compared with Pilates and yoga interventions, while yoga was more effective in improving social/family well-being. Further research on water interventions for different populations is warranted.