CN56 - A nurse-led physical activity educational intervention to improve quality of life in breast cancer women undergoing chemotherapy: A study protocol

Background

Breast cancer patients often experience fatigue, depression and anxiety and faced many changes on domains of quality of life during chemotherapy. Physical activity, as moderate intensity aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise, can play a vital role as part of management of cancer and treatment of related symptoms and according to the guidelines of multiple organizations, should be recommended during chemotherapy. Often patients report that they are not encouraged to exercise during their active treatment.

Methods

A randomized clinical study protocol will be carried out to evaluate if a nurse- led educational intervention for enhancing physical activity can modify the quality of life, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress and physical activity of women with breast cancer. The breast cancer patients will be randomized into two groups, the control group and the intervention group. Data collection will be performed through questionnaires in the dept. of medical oncology at general hospital of Athens. In the intervention group, an educational intervention will be provided that will include a patient educational brochure and communication via phone calls aiming at strengthening physical activity and encouraging regular walking exercise. In the control group the standard care will be provided. The outcome of the study will be measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the EORTC QLF-30 - BR-23 questionnaire, the Depression Anxious Stress Scale -21 and the Brief fatigue Inventory in baseline, in 8 week time and at the end of the chemo.

Results

The results of this study will provide more information about the effectiveness of nurse - led intervention on improving physical activity during chemotherapy. Also will investigate the several domains of quality of life in breast cancer patient that can be affected during active therapy.

Conclusions

Nurses have a vital role in educating breast cancer patients in various ways in order to improve their quality of life.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The study is registered in the Nursing Department of International Hellenic University as part of Doctoral study and has been approved by the scientific committee of the hospital (No 3522/12-2/24).

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.