Objectives: To determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a group dynamics-based exercise intervention versus a personal training intervention for increasing physical activity (PA), physical fitness, and quality of life (QOL) in post-treatment breast cancer survivors.
Sample & setting: 26 women with stage I or II breast cancer who attended intervention activities at a local academic institution.
Methods & vriables: Participants were randomly assigned to receive an eight-week intervention in either a group dynamics-based exercise or a personal training setting. Both intervention arms received supervised exercise twice per week, as well as PA education and discussion sessions.
Results: Significant increases were noted in both intervention arms for vigorous PA, chest press, and leg press. Increases in overall QOL and total PA were significant only in the group dynamics-based exercise intervention arm.
Implications for nursing: The group dynamics-based exercise intervention produced similar improvements in PA and physical fitness compared to the personal training intervention, and it may have facilitated greater improvements in overall QOL.
Keywords: breast cancer; fitness; group dynamics; personal training; physical activity; quality of life.