Tailored Sailing Experience to Reduce Psychological Distress and Improve the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Survey-Based Pilot Study

Daniela Mirandola, Giovanna Franchi, Alice Maruelli, Manuela Vinci, Maria Grazia Muraca, Guido Miccinesi, Mirko Manetti and Mirca Marini
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Daniela Mirandola: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Giovanna Franchi: Oncological Rehabilitation Center (Ce.Ri.On.), 50139 Florence, Italy
Alice Maruelli: Oncological Rehabilitation Center (Ce.Ri.On.), 50139 Florence, Italy
Manuela Vinci: The Italian League against Tumors (LILT), 50126 Florence, Italy
Maria Grazia Muraca: Oncological Rehabilitation Center (Ce.Ri.On.), 50139 Florence, Italy
Guido Miccinesi: Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy
Mirko Manetti: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Mirca Marini: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-8

Abstract: Background : Growing evidence indicates that physical/sporting activities may improve the health outcomes and quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer (BC) survivors. Since recent reports have suggested that sailing can improve the psychophysical well-being and QoL of people with disabilities, this pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a tailored sailing experience on the QoL and psychological distress (PD) of BC survivors. Methods : A group of 19 breast cancer survivors, who were attending the Cancer Rehabilitation Center in Florence, were invited to participate in a sailing school and completed a survey based on a structured online questionnaire assessing QoL and PD both on departure (baseline) and one week after returning (follow-up). The survey comprised a first part (i.e., sociodemographic characteristics and the practice of physical/sporting activities at baseline; sailing experience satisfaction at follow-up) and a second part (i.e., Short Form-12 (SF-12), State/Trait-Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-Y), distress thermometer questionnaires). A paired Student’s t -test was used to compare the baseline versus follow-up QoL and PD scores. Results : A statistically significant improvement in SF-12 mental component scores and a reduction in both STAI-Y state/trait components and distress thermometer scores were found after the sailing experience. Conclusions : We conclude that sailing practice could be a feasible intervention to increase the psychophysical well-being of BC survivors.

Keywords: sailing; breast cancer; cancer survivors; quality of life; psychological distress; psychological well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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