In breast cancer survivors, aquatic therapeutic exercise is an effective and safe physiotherapy strategy for enhancing the quality of life, and reducing pain and fatigue.

In order to determine the effectiveness of aquatic therapeutic exercise in minimizing tiredness, pain, lymphedema, and boosting the quality of life in female breast cancer survivors, a systematic review was conducted.

For relevant literature search, databases such as Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PubMed were explored. Using the PEDRO and Jadad scales and in accordance with the PRISMA declaration, the evaluation focused on aquatic exercise-based rehabilitation for female breast cancer survivors.

Overall, 606 subjects from 10 randomized controlled trials were incorporated. The aquatic therapeutic exercise was beneficial in lowering tiredness in two trials, pain in three trials, and quality of life in four trials following the intervention. Although this improvement was only sustained at 3 months in one trial, 3 out of 5 investigations demonstrated substantial immediate alterations in lymphedema volume.

On the PEDro scale and the Jadad scale, the methodological quality of all the studies was ≥7 and ≥ 3, respectively. Subjects exhibited great treatment adherence, and no after-intervention negative effects were noted.

Aquatic therapeutic exercise is associated with improvements in the quality of life, breast pain, and tiredness in breast cancer survivors. The effects on lymphedema are not certain.