Background: The quality of life of breast cancer patients is a dynamic indicator influenced by multiple factors. Despite therapeutic advances, the management of symptoms such as fatigue, psychological distress, pain, lymphedema, and sexual dysfunction remains a significant challenge, with patients frequently reporting numerous unmet needs. A cancer diagnosis holistically affects an individual's life, impacting physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.
In this context, systematic exercise proves highly beneficial for breast cancer patients before, during, and after the completion of treatments, functioning as a complementary therapy. It contributes effectively to the management of side effects, enhances physical functioning, reduces fatigue, anxiety, and pain, and improves overall quality of life. However, previous studies demonstrate that patients often lack the necessary support and guidance regarding physical activity during their treatment.
Aim: This randomized trial aims to investigate whether a nurse-led physical activity educational and enhancement intervention can alter general and breast cancer-specific quality of life, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress, and physical activity of women with breast cancer at the beginning, middle, and completion of their chemotherapy.
Method: Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are randomly assigned to either a control group receiving usual care or the intervention group receiving usual care plus an educational intervention aimed at enhancing physical activity. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, at the midpoint, and at the completion of chemotherapy.Standardized assessment tools are used to measure general quality of life, breast cancer-specific quality of life, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress, and physical activity.
