J Korean Acad Nurs.  2006 Apr;36(2):310-320.

The Effects of a Rehabilitation Program on Physical Health, Physiological Indicator and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Mastectomy Patients

• Park HS
• Cho GY
• Park KY

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a rehabilitation program on physical health, physiological indicators and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients. METHODS: The subjects included thirty-one patients with breast cancer (17 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of an exercise program, teaching, counseling and support for 2 sessions per week. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in flexion, internal rotation and external rotation but no significant increase in extension in the experimental group compared to the control group. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and CD56 in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after the rehabilitation program. Compared to the control group, quality of life in the experimental group was significantly improved and fatigue in that group was significantly decreased after the rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: The 10-week rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical health, physiological indicators and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients.

Keyword

Breast cancer; Rehabilitation; Physical conditioning; Physiological effects; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Adult
Breast Neoplasms/rehabilitation/*surgery
Female
Humans
Mastectomy/psychology/*rehabilitation
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic
Quality of Life