[The effects of a rehabilitation program on physical health, physiological indicator and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a rehabilitation program on physical health, physiological indicators and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients.


METHODS
The subjects included thirty-one patients with breast cancer (17 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of an exercise program, teaching, counseling and support for 2 sessions per week.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in flexion, internal rotation and external rotation but no significant increase in extension in the experimental group compared to the control group. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and CD56 in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after the rehabilitation program. Compared to the control group, quality of life in the experimental group was significantly improved and fatigue in that group was significantly decreased after the rehabilitation program.


CONCLUSIONS
The 10-week rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical health, physiological indicators and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients.
Park
Hyoung-Sook
HS
College of Nursing, Pusan National University, 10 Ami 1 Ga, Suh-Gu, Pusan 602-739, Korea. haedang@pusan.ac.kr
Cho
Gyoo-Yeong
GY
Park
Kyung-Yeon
KY
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life