Geographic Recruitment of Breast Cancer Survivors into Community-Based Exercise Interventions

Background: Psychosocial distress can contribute to avoidance, refusal, or discontinuation of cancer treatment, which could impact recovery and survival. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community based psychosocial program on alleviating mood disturbance in breast cancer survivors at different stages of their breast cancer journey. Method: A total of 37 women participated in an 8-week psychosocial program at their local community centre. The weekly 3-hour program was delivered in a small group format. Program components included health education, behavioural training, cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy and stress-management. Questionnaires aimed at assessing psychiatric morbidity and mood adjustment were administered at the beginning of the program (Pre) and at the completion of the program (Post). Results: Group data revealed a significant reduction in psychiatric morbidity and improved psychological adjustment. When participants were divided into degree of psychiatric morbidity (mild, moderate, severe, very severe) a significant reduction in the reporting of anxiety symptoms in the mild, moderate, severe and very severe groups was reported; depression symptoms in the severe and very severe groups were noted, and anger, confusion and somatic symptoms in the mild group were noted. The level of activity was also significantly improved in the very severe group. Conclusions: A structured community based psychosocial program is beneficial to women struggling to come to terms with the emotional consequences of breast cancer at all stages of recovery.

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Updated systematic review of exercise studies in breast cancer survivors: attention to the principles of exercise training

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2017-098389 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 504-512 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Sarah E Neil-Sztramko ◽

Kerri M Winters-Stone ◽

Kelcey A Bland ◽

Kristin L Campbell

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Exercise Prescription ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Randomised Controlled

ObjectivesTo update our previous evaluation of the exercise interventions used in randomised controlled trials of breast cancer survivors in relation to (1) the application of the principles of exercise training in the exercise prescription; (2) the reporting of the components of the exercise prescription; and (3) the reporting of adherence of participants to the prescribed interventions.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesThe OVID Medline, Embase, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus electronic databases were searched from January 2010 to January 2017.Eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials of at least 4 weeks of aerobic and/or resistance exercise in women diagnosed with breast cancer, reporting on physical fitness or body composition outcomes.ResultsSpecificity was appropriately applied by 84%, progression by 29%, overload by 38% and initial values by 67% of newly identified studies. Reversibility was reported by 3% anddiminishing returns by 22% of newly identified studies. No studies reported all components of the exercise prescription in the methods, or adherence to the prescribed intervention in the results. Reporting of reversibility has increased from 2010, but no other improvements in reporting were noted from the previous review.Summary/ConclusionNo studies of exercise in women with breast cancer attended to all principles of exercise training, or reported all components of the exercise prescription in the methods, or adherence to the prescription in the results. Full reporting of the exercise prescribed and completed is essential for study replication in research and translating research findings into the community, and should be prioritised in future trials.

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