Congress Abstracts 2006

18

THE EFFECTS OF A COMBINED RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR POST-TREATMENT BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS. Keri Hockett, PhD, ARNP, AOCN^®, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota, FL.

The increased survival rate for breast cancer has allowed for the study of the physical and psychosocial symptoms that persist into the post-treatment period. Currently no standard of care exists for management of symptoms in the post- treatment period as part of the recovery process

The aim of this research was to examine the effects of a 10-week comprehensive recovery program of twice weekly education, exercise, and support for breast cancer survivors and compare the results to a control group.

The conceptual framework is based on the Patient Active^® concept of The Wellness Community, which posits that patients who actively participate in their cancer treatment and recovery may actually enhance their recovery.

This experimental study used a convenience sample of 17 women who completed treatment for breast cancer and participated in a structured breast cancer recovery program over a 10-week period. A control group of 13 survivors who also completed treatment and did not participate in a structured program were measured over a 10- week period. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, extent of disease, and type of treatment. The two subject groups were compared on their self-report responses of physical and social functioning and vitality as measured by the SF-36©, their level of distress from cancer related fatigue as measured by the Cancer Fatigue Related Distress Scale, and their degree of uncertainty as measured by the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale. The subjects completed these self-reports at three time points.

Independent samples t-test and chi square test demonstrated that there were no significant demographic differences between the experimental and the control group, with the exception that the experimental group had significantly more chemotherapy. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with between-groups analysis demonstrated significant differences over time in the experimental group on all measures, but no significant differences over time in the control group on any of the measures. There also was a significant interaction effect of time by group. Conclusion: The Return to Wellness program was effective in improving physical functioning, social functioning and vitality in women with breast cancer who completed the program. It was also effective in reducing uncertainty and distress associated with cancer related fatigue in this group of breast cancer survivors.