The effect of a combined exercise and recreation therapy program on quality of life in post-treated female breast cancer patients

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a combined exercise and recreation therapy program on selected physiological and psychological parameters in post-treated breast cancer patients. A secondary purpose examined what physiological and psychological parameters caused the greatest magnitude of change in overall quality of life. It was found that a six-month combined intervention caused significant improvements in predicted VO2max, overall muscular endurance, balance, fatigue, emotional self-efficacy, and quality of life. Predicted VO2max and fatigue were the two parameters that explained the greatest amount of variance in quality of life. This study suggests that combined exercise and recreation therapy interventions are an effective way to improve both physiological and psychological factors in post-treated breast cancer patients. It is also suggested that future interventions consider concentrating on improving predicted VO2max and fatigue in order to most efficiently and effectively increase quality of life in these patients.