Fisher, H.M., Jacobs, J.M., Taub, C.J., Lechner, S.C., Lewis, J.E., Carver, C.S., . . . Antoni, M.H. (2017). How changes in physical activity relate to fatigue interference, mood, and quality of life during treatment for non-metastatic breast cancer. General Hospital Psychiatry, 49, 37-43.
To determine the effectiveness of physical activity following surgery for breast cancer in improving depression and quality of life
Participants were randomized between a CBSM (cognitive behavioral stress management) intervention group (which corresponds to a 2 hours per week meeting for 10 consecutive weeks) and a single-day psychoeducational control group. The CBMS intervention consist in a structured intervention with relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy, coping effectiveness training, assertiveness, and anger management.
PHASE OF CARE: Active anti-tumor treatment
Randomized control trial
7-item Perceived Interference Subscale of the 12-item Fatigue Symptom Inventory, IBS for depression, 7-Item Functional Well-Being Subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-B)
Both the control and the intervention arm saw significant changes in clinician-rated depression and depressed mood (control: standardized B = 0.15; B = 0.29, p = 0.049; p < 0.001) (intervention: standardized B = 0.14; B = 0.29, p < 0.001;p < 0.001) with regard to FRDI; however, there were no significant changes in functional QOL with either arms with regard to FRDI.
The study shows that a moderate physical activity improves fatigue, depression, and quality of life for patients with breast cancer , and nurses should make a point of encouraging this. Future replications are needed, the sample chosen may already have the awareness of the health benefits of physical activity before the study was enacted.
Nurses should encourage physical activity in patients with breast cancer.