The effects of an integrated exercise and recreation therapy intervention on breast cancer survivors

Researchers investigated effects of a 20-week integrative intervention (IIG) assessing the physical and psychosocial health of breast cancer survivors. This retrospective study included 70 survivors randomized into 4 groups: IIG, exercise only (EX), recreation therapy only (RT), or control group (CO) and assessed at baseline, week 8, and post intervention. Three days a week the IIG exercised at low to moderate-intensity 60 minutes, and recreation therapy 30 minutes, EX did exercise only, RT did recreation therapy only and the control group, no intervention for the first 8 weeks. Following week 8 assessments, all groups received IIG intervention. Results revealed that the IIG promoted positive changes in cardiorespiratory function (p= .001), muscular fitness (p≤.0005), fatigue (p≤.0005), and quality of life (p= .001) within the first 8 weeks of a 20-week rehabilitation program. In conclusion, a combined exercise and psychosocial intervention promotes improvements in physiological and psychological needs of breast cancer survivors.