Burnham, T.R., & Wilcox, A. (2002). Effects of exercise on physiologic and psychological variables in cancer survivors. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34, 1863–1867.

The intervention was lower-body aerobic exercise three times a week for 10 weeks in groups. The three groups were low-intensity exercise, moderate-intensity exercise, and control.

The study reported on a sample of 18 patients with cancer recovering from treatment.

A randomized controlled trial design was used.

• Linear Analog Self-Assessment (includes anxiety)
• Quality of Life Index for patients with cancer
• Physiologic capacity measures

There was significant decrease in anxiety pre- and post-study (p = 0.011) but not compared to the control group versus findings of decreased anxiety in the exercise group.

• The study had a small sample.
• No reliability for the instrument measuring anxiety was provided.
• Group interactions may have influenced anxiety.