Open AccessEffects of Exercise on Quality of Life in Women Living with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Bicego Deanna,
Brown Kathy,
Ruddick Moraine,
Storey Dara,
Wong Corinne,
Harris Susan R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the breast journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.533
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1524-4741
pISSN - 1075-122X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2008.00670.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cinahl , breast cancer , medline , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , meta analysis , gerontology , cancer , psychological intervention , nursing , political science , law
The goal of this systematic review was to examine the effect of exercise on quality of life (QOL) in women living with breast cancer. Data bases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, and PEDro. Keywords were “breast cancer and quality of life” in combination with “exercise” or “physical activity” (with associated Mesh terms). Limits were English or French language. Included studies were independently reviewed for methodological quality (van Tulder et al . ) and assigned a level of evidence (Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine). Nine relevant randomized controlled trials were included: four of moderate methodological quality and five of high methodological quality. There was strong evidence that exercise positively influences QOL in women living with breast cancer. Exercise can be an effective strategy to improve QOL in women living with breast cancer. Future research is necessary to determine optimal exercise types and parameters.