An exerciSe program to improve depression And sleep Disorders in oncology patients: The SAD study

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if a structured supervised outpatient exercise program specifically for cancer patients would be associated with improvements in insomnia and depression after attending for 10-weeks. Design Descriptive observational study. Sample and setting 75 adult subjects attended an outpatient hospital based exercise program specifically for cancer patients and coordinated by an exercise physiologist and a physical therapist. Method Two validated instruments were administered to measure insomnia (Athens Insomnia Instrument) and depression (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale) at baseline (prior to the start of the program) and repeated after 10-weeks of exercise. Results Forty (53.3%) completed the full 10 week program. Of the 40 that completed the program, an improvement in insomnia scores was seen (p-value Conclusions Exercise improved depression and insomnia in cancer patients. By improving these symptoms, mortality, morbidity, and costs may be improved in the oncology population. Exercise programs can provide not only the health benefits of exercise, but also give cancer populations support from their peers which may improve their overall quality of life.