Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 50 2 2021 02 01 306 314 Feifei LI Two Areas of Galactophore Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China Wei LIU One Areas of Galactophore Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China Fei HUO Two Areas of Galactophore Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China Weifang HE Two Areas of Galactophore Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China Fan YANG Department of Pathology, Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing 312000, P.R. China Jiabin WEI Department of Pathology, Zhoukou Central Hospital, Zhoukou 466000, P.R. China Jing WANG Two Areas of Galactophore Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China 2020 06 29 2020 08 20 Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of self-controlled exercise on the antioxidant activity of red blood cells and the recovery of limb function in patients with breast cancer after rehabilitation. Methods: Overall 130 breast cancer patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China from Feb 2018 to Jan 2019 were divided into intervention group and control group. The control group received perioperative care and chemotherapy, the intervention group implemented a self-controlled exercise program. Indexes were compared between the two groups before intervention, 3 months and 6 months after intervention. Results: The activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD in the intervention group was significantly increased in the first 3 months (P=0.030), and decreased from 3rd to 6th month (P=0.033). The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the intervention group increased through the whole intervention period. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) in the intervention group was significantly decreased (P=0.029, 0.012). After intervention for 3 months and 6 months, the 6MND distances in the intervention group were significantly longer (P=0.001, 0.045). The average exercise time in the intervention group were significantly increased (P=0.004, 0.000). Conclusion: Self-controlled exercise can effectively improve the antioxidant ability of red blood cells in patients with breast cancer, improve the mobility of shoulder joints of the affected side and increase their exercise capacity, with good sustainability. It has positive effect on postoperative rehabilitation, could be used in long-term regular clinical work. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/21299 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/21299/7130