Young-McCaughan, S., Mays, M. Z., Arzola, S. M., Yoder, L. H., Dramiga, S. A., Leclerc, K. M., . . . Nowlin, M. U. (2003). Research and commentary: change in exercise tolerance, activity and sleep patterns, and quality of life in patients with cancer participating in a structured exercise program. Oncology Nursing Forum, 30, 441–454; discussion 441–454.

Patients met twice a week for 12 weeks for exercise and education. Outcomes were exercise tolerance, activity, sleep, and quality of life (QOL).

• The sample was comprised of 62 patients (31 men, 31 women).
• Mean age was 55 years.
• Patients had mixed ethnicity and varying cancer diagnoses and stages.
• Therapy included surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine and hormonal therapy.

• Two major military medical centers
• Inpatient and outpatient
• Southwestern United States

Patients were either undergoing the active treatment or long-term follow-up phase of care.

This was a prospective, feasibility study with repeated measures.

• Wrist actigraphy to measure the duration of sleep, percentage of night spent asleep, average length of a sleep episode, and number of awakenings.
• Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System–Short Form (CARES-SF) sleep item

No improvement was found in sleep patterns per actigraphy; improved subjective rating was noted.

• This was a feasibility study; therefore, no control group was used.
• The study had a small sample size.
• Actigraphy data were missing.
• Cost is incurred for actigraphs.
• Staff must be trained in the exercise measurement.