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.

• N = 240   
• AVERAGE AGE: 50.3 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• CURRENT TREATMENT: Other
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Non-metastatic breast cancer; surgery for primary breast cancer in the 2-10 weeks prior to enrollment.
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: More than 50 % have completed a college degree; more than 75% are married or partnered. Exclusion: Diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer or other cancer, except skin cancer

• SITE: Single site   
• SETTING TYPE: Not specified    
• LOCATION: Miami, Florida

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.

• Key sample group differences that could influence results
• Findings not generalizable
• Other limitations/explanation: The limitation can be seen in the fact that the data have been collected in a group of White, highly motivated, well-educated women. Those results should not be generalized to an entire population.

Nurses should encourage physical activity in patients with breast cancer.