Efficacy of a Home-Based, Unsupervised Physical Activity Program on Fatigue, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life in Survivors of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Women with breast cancer (BC) experience symptoms related to fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL) in the post- treatment period. Oncology nurses need to plan interventions such as physical activity (PA) aimed at reducing the symptoms experienced by patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to determine the efficacy of a home-based, unsupervised PA program on fatigue, sleep quality, and QOL in survivors of BC. METHODS: This study was an experimental study with a prospective control group. Female survivors of BC were randomly assigned to either the home-based, unsupervised PA intervention group or the control group for 12 weeks. Fatigue, sleep quality, and QOL were assessed with questionnaires at baseline and the 12th week. FINDINGS: The home-based, unsupervised PA program yielded positive effects on fatigue and QOL among participants. The program did not affect sleep quality.