Telerehabilitation Improves Health and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be devastating for an individual as they prepare for a difficult treatment regimen and side effects, such as loss of strength, pain, fatigue, and a decrease in quality of life. A new study suggests that telerehabilitation can help alleviate some of the side effects associated with breast cancer and its treatment.

Telerehabilitation harnesses the power of the internet, using Skype as a control platform. This newly conceived system has been given the name e-CUIDATE, with cuidate meaning take care.

In the age of technology, telehealth is starting to gain some traction in the health care world. This new study using e-CUIDATE through the internet is one of the most complete to date for breast cancer patients, and has received excellent results for the exercise program.

“The participants have ameliorate their pain, strength, fatigue, and quality of life, which reflects that an 8-week exercise program followed through the internet can be successfully carried out without the need for an in-person therapeutic strategy,” said main study author Noelia Galiano Castillo.

Overall, the telerehabilitation system was able to maintain the benefits of the exercise program 6 months after it was completed.