Effects of Exercise on Quality of Life in Women Living with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

The goal of this systematic review was to examine the effect of exercise on quality of life (QOL) in women living with breast cancer. Data bases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, and PEDro. Keywords were breast cancer and quality of life in combination with exercise or physical activity (with associated Mesh terms). Limits were English or French language. Included studies were independently reviewed for methodological quality (van Tulder et al.) and assigned a level of evidence (Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine). Nine relevant randomized controlled trials were included: four of moderate methodological quality and five of high methodological quality. There was strong evidence that exercise positively influences QOL in women living with breast cancer. Exercise can be an effective strategy to improve QOL in women living with breast cancer. Future research is necessary to determine optimal exercise types and parameters.