Reducing depression, anxiety, and fatigue level in cervical cancer through physical exercise intervention

Abstract

AIM: The objectives of the study were to identify the effect of physical exercise on depression, anxiety, and fatigue in cervical cancer patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest with control group design was used. Thirty respondents were selected using purposive sampling. The data were gathered by a focus group discussion. The Piper Fatigue Scale was used to measure fatigue levels. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to measure anxiety and depression level. Paired t-test was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between depression level after physical exercise with t = 3.552 (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between anxiety level after physical exercise with t = 11.297 (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between fatigue level after physical exercise with t = 17.457 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Physical exercise reduces anxiety, depression, and fatigue in patients with cervical cancer that will improve the quality of life of patients.