The effect of seated exercise on fatigue and quality of life in women with advanced breast cancer

Purpose/Objectives: To examine the effects of a seated exercise program on fatigue and quality of life (QOL) in women with metastatic breast cancer. Design: Randomized, controlled, longitudinal trial. Setting: Outpatient clinic of comprehensive cancer center, Sample: Convenience sample of 38 women who were beginning outpatient chemotherapy. Methods: Subjects were randomized to a control or intervention group; the intervention was performance of a seated exercise program using home video tape three times per week for four cycles of chemotherapy. All subjecta completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Version IV (Facit-F) at baseline and at the time of the next three cycles. Subjects were asked to document the frequency duration, and intensity of all exercise participationon monthly calenders. Main Research Variables: Exercise, fatigue and QOL. Findings: 32 subjects, 16 per group, completed the study follow-up. With a mixed modelling approach, total Facit-F scores for the entire sample declined at a significant rate (p = 0.003) beginning with cycle 3 but at a slower rate for the experimental group (p = 0.002). Fatigue scores indicated less increase and physical well-being subscale scores showed less decline for the experimental group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions: Women with advanced breast cancer randomized to the seated exercise intervention had a slower decline in total and physical well-being and less increase in fatigue scores satarting with the third cycle of chemotherapy. Implications for nursing: Seated exercise may be a feasible exercise program for women with advanced cancer for controlling fatigue and improving physical well-being.