Telerehabilitation through Internet ameliorate the life of women suffering breast cancer

Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) and from hospitals Virgen de las Nieves and San Cecilio (Granada) have proven that "telerehabilitation" (rehabilitation with the help of the internet using the application Skype as a control platform) may help to alleviate the side effects associated with breast cancer and its treatment, including pain, fatigue, strength loss, quality of life deterioration, etc.

The characteristics of the telerehabilitation system conceived by the scientists, called e-CUIDATE ('cuídate' meaning 'take care'), make this study about "telehealth" one of the most complete regarding patients suffering breast cancer, with excellent results for the internet exercise program, both for the possible side effects and the final outcome of the treatment.

Noelia Galiano Castillo of the department of Physical Therapy and main author of the study says, "The participants have ameliorated their pain, strength, fatigue and quality of life, which reflects that an eight-week exercise program followed through the internet can be successfully carried out without the need for a in-person therapeutic strategy."

Moreover, patients using this telerehabilitation program report sustained benefits for six months after its completion.