Effect of aquatic exercise on fatigue, fitness, arm edema, levels of distress, and quality of life among breast cancer survivors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a recreational therapy aquatic intervention on physical and psychosocial performance of breast cancer survivors. Eligible participants were assigned to either a water exercise group or a control group who received standard care treatment for breast cancer. The intervention group attended aquatic exercise sessions three times per week for eight weeks in a heated outdoor pool. Sessions lasted 50 minutes in duration. The aquatic exercise group significantly improved their endurance, body mass, level of distress, and total score for fatigue. No significant differences occurred in the control group. Social validity responses found that participants believed the exercise sessions improved physical fitness and that they desired to continue the program. Findings suggested that an aquatic exercise program may improve some physical and psychosocial measures among breast cancer survivors. The relatively small sample and quasi-experimental design limited capability of making greater generalizations.