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. 2025 Jul 1;33(7):650.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09710-4.

Effects of an online home-based exercise intervention on sleep quality in breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 lockdown: a pilot study

Lucía Sagarra-Romero  1   2 , Raquel Val-Ferrer  3 , Ángel I Fernández-García  3   4 , Enrique Ramón-Arbués  5   6   7
Affiliations

Effects of an online home-based exercise intervention on sleep quality in breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 lockdown: a pilot study

Lucía Sagarra-Romero et al. Support Care Cancer. .

Abstract

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with cancer have been particularly vulnerable to experiencing high levels of psychological distress. This study implemented a 16-week online home-based exercise program to assess its impact on sleep quality during the pandemic. Fifteen participants completed the program, which included functional exercises conducted via Zoom. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and accelerometry.

Results: Participants showed notable improvements: PSQI scores decreased significantly, indicating better sleep quality, reduced sleep latency, and increased sleep duration and efficiency. Objective measures also reflected improvements in total sleep time and reduced average awakening duration.

Conclusions: Online exercise interventions can effectively enhance sleep quality in breast cancer survivors, emphasizing the importance of integrating exercise into their care, especially during disruptive periods like a pandemic.

Keywords: Actigraphy device; Breast cancer survivors; Lockdown; Online exercise program; Pittsburgh sleep quality index; Sleep quality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Online home-based exercise program characteristics
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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