Effects of an Online Physical Exercise Program on Fatigue, Cognition, and Anxiety Among Breast Cancer Survivors during the COVID-19 Pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2025v71n2.5087Keywords:
Breast Neoplasms, Cancer Survivors, COVID-19, Mental Fatigue, ExerciseAbstract
Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, breast cancer survivors faced challenges that exacerbated cancer-related fatigue, cognitive impairments, and anxiety, frequently reported by this population. Objective: To investigate the effects of a supervised online physical exercise program on fatigue, cognitive function, and anxiety on breast cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A preexperimental study with nine women breast cancer survivors (mean age: 55.89 ± 12.18 years) participating in a university extension program. The intervention consisted of 18 weeks of remotely supervised exercises conducted via video calls, with two 30-minute sessions per week. The program included joint mobility exercises, aerobic and strength activities structured in a circuit format, followed by stretching, with adjustments made every two weeks. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention via telephone contact using the Piper Fatigue Scale, FACT-Cog-v3, and STAI questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test (α = 0.05). Results: A significant improvement was observed in the sensory domain of fatigue (p = 0.042), while other fatigue domains (total fatigue: p = 0.128; behavioral: p = 0.144; affective: p = 0.705; cognitive-emotional: p = 0.752), cognitive function (p = 0.999), and anxiety levels (state: p = 0.104; trait: p = 0.400) remained stable. Conclusion: The 18-week program was effective in improving sensory fatigue levels and maintaining stable general fatigue, cognitive function, and anxiety levels in breast cancer survivors during the social distancing imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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