The impact of physical activity on quality of life, depression, and anxiety in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment

The current study investigated the relationships between physical activity, quality of life, depression, and anxiety in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Treatment-related variables (i.e., time since diagnosis, stage of cancer, treatment type) and treatment side effects (i.e., fatigue, pain, nausea) were examined in relationship to the main study variables. Psychosocial variables including social support, attitude about exercise, and physician recommendation for exercise were studied to determine their value in predicting physical activity. Ninety-two women currently undergoing treatment for Stages I & II breast cancer were recruited from three oncology practices in the Richmond, Virginia area. Participants completed written self-report questionnaires about physical activity, quality of life, attitudes about exercise, mood, social support, and demographic information while waiting for a doctor's appointment. Results indicate that physical activity significantly predicted global quality of life after controlling for demographic information, treatment-related variables, and treatment side effects. Physical activity was not correlated with depression or anxiety in the current study. However, there were relatively low levels of depression and anxiety in the current study, resulting in limited variability. Depression and anxiety were found to be strong predictors of global quality of life, fatigue, pain, and social support, in the expected directions. Sixty-four percent of the participants reported decreased levels of physical activity since their breast cancer diagnosis. Women who maintained their level of physical activity after breast cancer diagnosis reported significantly higher global quality of life, physical role functioning and significantly lower scores for depression, fatigue, pain, and nausea. The current study is one of few studies that investigated physical activity, mental health and quality of life while during treatment for breast cancer. Additionally, it used a more inclusive definition of physical activity for a better understanding of women's activity levels during treatment. Future studies should target women who are specifically in emotional distress and investigate physical activity's impact in controlled, randomized interventions.