Home-based remote dance program with biopsychosocial model improves quality of life in breast cancer patients: A...

Breast cancer is common, with high survival rates and long-life expectancy. Managing treatment side effects and improving quality of life are important. While in-person dance programs have shown benefits, research on home-based, theory-driven dance programs is limited. This study evaluated a home-based, remote dance program using the biopsychosocial model to improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients and support its use in cancer care.

The study was conducted from July 2023 to May 2024, carrying out online in each participant's home concurrently in Taiwan. A total of 66 breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 33) or a control group (n = 33). The experimental group participated in a weekly 60-min home-based dance program, guided by the biopsychosocial model, for 12 weeks via online software. The control group received standard care during this period. The evaluation metrics included European Organization of Research and Treatment Cancer-Quality of Life C30 and Breast Cancer 23 Questionnaires (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-BR23) in the pre-and -post time during the intervention.

Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvement in EORTC QLQ-C30 summary score (p = .03), symptoms summary (p = .04), fatigue (p = .004), and EORTC QLQ-BR23 symptoms scales (p = .05) and breast symptoms scales (p = .006).

This study introduced a pioneering home-based remote dance program for breast cancer patients, guided by the biopsychosocial model. The results showed partial symptom relief and improved quality of life. It is recommended to incorporate this program, led by a professional instructor, into future breast cancer treatment plans.