Impact of different exercise interventions on anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of different exercise interventions on anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients through 1-year outpatient rehabilitation. Methods. overall, 138 breast cancer patients were assessed for eligibility. After excluding 14 women, 124 patients were randomly allocated to water exercise interventions (group A, n = 50), Pilates exercise interventions (group B, n = 44), and yoga exercise interventions (group C, n = 30). Finally, 115 patients completed relevant interventions and were analysed. The participants reported anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and depression Scale at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of the interventions. Results. After 12 months, a decrease in anxiety and depression was observed by 5.64 (p < 0.001) and 4.09 (p < 0.001) points in group A, by 5.75 (p < 0.001) and 4.60 (p < 0.001) points in group B, and by 4.07 (p < 0.001) and 3.14 (p < 0.001) points in group C, respectively. Group A showed significantly better results than group C in anxiety (by 1.54 points; p < 0.01) and depression (by 1.40 points; p < 0.05). Group B obtained significantly better results than group C in anxiety (by 1.61 points; p < 0.01) and depression (by 1.81 points; p < 0.01). Conclusions. Practising a water exercise program resulted in a better decrease of anxiety and depression levels compared with Pilates and yoga interventions.