Effectiveness of a 12-month exercise program on physical performance and quality of life of breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed at determining whether physical exercise training improves the quality of life (QoL) and physical fitness of breast cancer survivors.

Patients and methods: A total of 573 breast cancer survivors were randomized into an exercise or a control group, 12-months after adjuvant treatments. EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR-23 questionnaires were used for evaluation of QoL, FACIT-F for fatigue and the Finnish modified version of Beck's 13-item depression scale (RBDI) for depression. Physical fitness was assessed by a 2-km walking test, and a figure-8 running test and physical activity (PA) by metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week (MET-h/wk).

Results: Figure-8 running time improved significantly among the patients of the intervention group compared with the controls (p<0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed in 2-km walking time, in PA, EORTC-QLQ-C30, BR-23, FACIT-F or BDI. However, there was a linear relationship between increased PA and improved QoL (p=0.006), irrespective of the intervention.

Conclusion: Increase in physical activity was associated with improved QoL, but no effect of the exercise intervention was observed.