Exercise and Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients With Cancer
Objective
To review the evidence of the effects of exercise interventions in patients with cancer in each of four quality-of-life domains: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual.
Data Sources
Research articles, abstracts, literature review.
Conclusion
There is strong evidence to support positive effects of exercise on physical and psychological well-being. Exercise improves physical function, muscle strength, emotional well-being, self esteem, decreases fatigue, anxiety, and depression, and helps maintain weight. Data suggest exercise fosters social functioning and more research is needed on the relationship of exercise and spiritual well-being.
Implications for Nursing Practice
There is sufficient evidence to support exercise as an intervention to enhance a cancer patient's physical functioning and psychological well-being. Nurses should be encouraged to integrate physical activity recommendations into practice, tailored to the individual's health condition and mutual goal setting.
Address correspondence to M. Tish Knobf, RN, PhD, FAAN, Yale University School of Nursing, 100 Church St South, New Haven, CT 06536-0740
Dr. Knobf was supported in part by the American Cancer Society Professor of Oncology Nursing grant and Dr. Musanti was supported in part by an award from the Greater NYC Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
ABSTRACT