Effects of different types of physical exercise on postoperative mental health in cancer patients

AI Summary

All exercise types produced significant improvements in anxiety, depression, quality of life, sleep quality and social support versus control, greater at three months.
Yoga yielded the largest gains in psychological state, sleep quality, and social support at three months (HADS 6.81, PSQI 4.27, SSRS 28.85).
Aerobic exercise achieved the greatest improvement in overall quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF 76.41 at three months); tailored exercise recommended for rehabilitation.

AI Summary

Participants were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months post-intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), WHO Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). After one and three months of intervention, all exercise groups (yoga, walking, aerobic) showed statistically significant improvements compared to the control group in psychological well-being (F = 15.581, p < 0.001), quality of life (F = 7.813, p < 0.001), sleep quality (F = 13.374, p < 0.001), and social support (F = 8.524, p < 0.001). These improvements were more pronounced at the three-month mark (p < 0.05).Among the intervention groups, yoga demonstrated the most significant improvement in psychological state (3-month HADS score: 6.81 ± 1.87), sleep quality (3-month PSQI score: 4.27 ± 0.84), and social support (3-month SSRS score: 28.85 ± 4.10), with differences being statistically significant compared to walking and aerobic exercise groups (p < 0.05).

Basic summary

Psychol Health Med. 2026 Jun 5:1-13. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2026.2680330. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To explore how diverse physical exercises influence the mental well-being of cancer patients following surgery. A total of 144 cancer patients who underwent surgery were selected from a tertiary hospital and randomly assigned to either a control group (conventional care, n = 36) or an intervention group (conventional care plus physical exercise, n = 108). The intervention group was further stratified into three subgroups: yoga (n = 36), walking (n = 36), and aerobic exercise (n = 36). Participants were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months post-intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), WHO Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Initially, no significant differences were observed among the groups in mental state, quality of life, sleep quality, or social support (p > 0.05). After one and three months of intervention, all exercise groups (yoga, walking, aerobic) showed statistically significant improvements compared to the control group in psychological well-being (F = 15.581, p < 0.001), quality of life (F = 7.813, p < 0.001), sleep quality (F = 13.374, p < 0.001), and social support (F = 8.524, p < 0.001). These improvements were more pronounced at the three-month mark (p < 0.05).Among the intervention groups, yoga demonstrated the most significant improvement in psychological state (3-month HADS score: 6.81 ± 1.87), sleep quality (3-month PSQI score: 4.27 ± 0.84), and social support (3-month SSRS score: 28.85 ± 4.10), with differences being statistically significant compared to walking and aerobic exercise groups (p < 0.05). Aerobic exercise showed the greatest advantage in improving quality of life (3-month WHOQOL-BREF score: 76.41 ± 8.01), surpassing yoga and walking groups (p < 0.05). Various forms of physical exercise significantly benefit postoperative psychological adjustment in cancer patients. Yoga helps reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and strengthen social support, while walking and aerobic activities enhance quality of life and overall health. Therefore, tailored exercise should be integrated into postoperative rehabilitation to promote holistic recovery.