Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the integrated survivorship model on the physical health of breast cancer survivors in rural areas.
Methods: Ninety-two patients who were breast cancer survivors were selected as per inclusion criteria and divided into two groups (control group and intervention group). The participants were randomly allotted to two groups of 46 each. A 12-minute walk test, assessment of quality of life, and difficulty in return to work were used as outcome measures. The integrated survivorship model was implemented in one group for 3 months while the other group was a supporting group and was involved in household activities only. Pre-assessment and post-assessment were taken to evaluate the effect of the integrated survivorship model. All the statistical analysis was done using SPSS statistical Software (version 23.0 for Windows; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, USA) and the results were obtained.
Results: The results revealed that the assessment of the 12-minute walk test, physical well-being, social/family well-being, functional well-being, and difficulty in returning to work showed extremely significant results in the intervention group with a p-value of less than 0.0001. Similarly, emotional well-being and additional concern domains showed significant results in the intervention group. Hence, the findings of this study revealed significance in post-assessment in all the outcome measures of the experimental group.
Conclusion: The study showed that all the outcome measures such as the 12-minute walk test, assessment of quality of life, and difficulty in return to work were impaired in both groups before the study. The effect of the model showed a significant improvement in the intervention group after implementing the intervention.
Keywords: Lymphedema; Physical Health; Physical well being; Quality of Life; return to work.