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Learning Objective 1: explain the impact of exercise on persons with all stages and types of cancer.
Learning Objective 2: discuss the barriers and challenges to exercise faced by persons with cancer.
Exercise has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the lives of persons with cancer. Most studies have been limited to early stage disease or have been conducted over a short time frame. Exercise maintenance, difficult in any population, is complicated by the presence of a life-threatening illness.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on the quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer over time.
Methods
Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory was used to guide this longitudinal, quasi-experimental study conducted from 2006-2011. Participants were referred by their physician to participate in a cost-free, individualized program of exercise at one of 16 community centers. The Medical Outcomes Survey, Short Form, version 2.0 (SF-36, v.2) was used to assess QOL. Data collection took place at baseline, every three months during year-one, and every six months during year-two.
Results
Participants (n=701) included persons at all stages of different cancer diagnoses. One-way ANOVA analysis supported the positive impact of exercise on QOL over time as predicted by the model. Significant subscale scores of the SF-36, including physical function (F=7.33, p <. 001); role physical (F=11.74, p < .001); bodily pain (F=4.08, p <.001); vitality (F=14.19, p <.001); social function (F=14.05, p < .001); role emotional (F=7.41, p < .001); mental health (F=7.99 p < .001); and general health (F=6.03, p < .001), were sustainable over time.
Conclusion
This research introduces the concept of a cost-free long-term community-based program of individualized exercise as a feasible and effective intervention to improve the QOL for persons with all stages of cancer. Improvements, noted at the three-month time point, appear to be sustainable for extended time (24 months). Results from this study have significance for practice recommendations and health policy reimbursement issues.
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