Aerobic Exercise Decreases Depression and Anxiety in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Breast cancer has a profound impact on women's health. There are many psychosocial effects including depression, anxiety, anger, and confusion. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of survivors living with cancer and can adversely affect wellbeing and rehabilitation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the effect of low to moderate intensity aerobic exercise on depression and anxiety in women who have completed treatment for breast cancer. METHODS: Twenty-two survivors of breast cancer (43–79 years of age, at least one month post-treatment) were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (n=12) or a control group (n= 10). The exercise group participated in a low to moderate intensity (30–50% heart rate reserve) aerobic exercise program three times a week for ten weeks. The control group did not participate in the exercise program. The Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) Scale was administered to subjects prior to the onset and at the conclusion of the ten weeks of exercise. This scale provides a measure of emotional distress and specifically includes measures of anxiety, confusion, depression, energy, and anger. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement depression (p = .005), anxiety (p = .03), confusion (p = .04), and anger (p = .02) in the exercise group compared to the control group (p = .001). There was no statistical difference between the groups on the measure of energy (p = .19). More specifically, depression decreased in the exercise group (23.0 + 5.4 to 2.5 + 1.1) and increased in the control group (7.6 + 2.5) to 13.2 + 6.1), anxiety decreased in the exercise group (31.5 + 7.5 to 4.25 + 1.6) and stayed the same in the control group (15.9 + 6.8), confusion decreased in the exercise group (21.0 + 5.1 to 6.3 + 4.0) and increased in the control group (6.7 + 2.0 to 10.7+ 6.2), anger decreased in the exercise group (14.3+6.2 to 4.0 + 2.5) and increased in the control group (4.6 + 1.4 to 13.8 + 7.3). CONCLUSIONS: This aerobic exercise program was effective in reducing depression, anxiety, confusion, and anger in this group of breast cancer survivors. Guidelines for an exercise intervention are already in place for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease but no guidelines are in place for cancer survivors. Low to moderate intensity exercise is a safe, beneficial, efficient, and cost-effective tool for improving depression and anxiety in breast cancer survivors.