Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 114-127
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260612
Effect of Aerobic Exercises and Resisted Exercises on Quality of Life in Cancer Patients - An Experimental Study
Dr. Hetal Shah- Patil1, Dr. Srushti Andhere2
1Associate Professor, DPO’s NETT College of Physiotherapy, Thane, Maharashtra, India.
2PG Student, DPO’s NETT College of Physiotherapy, Thane, Maharashtra, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Hetal Shah- Patil
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients' quality of life (QoL) is negatively impacted by cancer and its treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, which result in physical, emotional, and social constraints. Exercise therapy is regarded as a successful non-pharmacological technique for enhancing functional ability and lessening symptoms associated with cancer treatment.
Aim: To assess the effect of aerobic and resisted exercises on quality of life in cancer patients.
Methodology: Cancer patients visiting different cancer outpatient departments participated in a quasi-experimental study. Convenience sampling was used to choose 44 individuals over the age of 18 who had received a cancer diagnosis at least six months earlier. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used for baseline evaluation. Participants engaged in a 4-week exercise regimen that included resistive exercises (two sets of 8–12 repetitions) and aerobic activities (15–20 minutes of walking or brisk walking). Three weeks of unsupervised and one week of supervised exercise were part of the intervention. The same questionnaire was used for post-intervention evaluation. A paired t-test was used to examine the data, and p < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.
Results: Significant improvements were observed in overall functional performance, physical, emotional, and social functioning following the intervention (p < 0.001). Symptom scores reduced significantly, while global QOL scores improved from 46.2 ± 16.27 to 61.0 ± 9.67.
Conclusion: Cancer patients' quality of life was greatly enhanced by aerobic and resistive exercise, and their symptoms were lessened. These results imply that programs for cancer rehabilitation should include exercise therapy.
Keywords: Cancer, Quality of Life, Aerobic Exercise, Resisted Exercise, Cancer Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, EORTC QLQ-C30.
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