Self-reported physical activity behaviour; exercise motivation and information among Danish adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

TY - JOUR

T1 - Self-reported physical activity behaviour; exercise motivation and information among Danish adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

AU - Midtgaard, Julie

AU - Baadsgaard, Marie Topp

AU - Møller, Tom

AU - Rasmussen, Birgitte

AU - Quist, Morten

AU - Andersen, Christina

AU - Rørth, Mikael

AU - Adamsen, Lis

PY - 2009/4

Y1 - 2009/4

N2 - BACKGROUND: Physical activity is considered an important and determining factor for the cancer patient's physical well-being and quality of life. However, cancer treatment may disrupt the practice of physical activity, and the prevention of sedentary lifestyles in cancer survivors is imperative.PURPOSE: The current study aimed at investigating self-reported physical activity behaviour, exercise motivation and information in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.METHODS AND SAMPLE: Using a cross-sectional design, 451 patients (18-65 years) completed a questionnaire assessing pre-illness and present physical activity; motivation and information received.RESULTS: Patients reported a significant decline in physical activity from pre-illness to the time in active treatment (p<0.001). Amongst the respondents, 68% answered that they believed exercise to be beneficial; and 78% claimed not exercising as much as desired. Exercise barriers included fatigue (74%) and physical discomfort (45%). Present physical activity behaviour was associated with pre-illness physical activity behaviour (p<0.001), exercise belief (p<0.001), and diagnosis (p<0.001). More patients <40 years than patients >40 years (OR 0.36, p<0.001); more men than women (OR 2.12, p<0.001); and more oncological than haematological patients (OR 0.41, p<0.001) stated being informed about physical activity. Moreover patients who claimed to have been informed about exercise were more in agreement with being able to exercise while undergoing chemotherapy (OR 1.69, p=0.023).CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Danish adult cancer patients in chemotherapy experience a significant decline in physical activity behaviour. Results indicate a general positive interest in physical activity amongst the patients, which however may be only suboptimally exploited.

AB - BACKGROUND: Physical activity is considered an important and determining factor for the cancer patient's physical well-being and quality of life. However, cancer treatment may disrupt the practice of physical activity, and the prevention of sedentary lifestyles in cancer survivors is imperative.PURPOSE: The current study aimed at investigating self-reported physical activity behaviour, exercise motivation and information in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.METHODS AND SAMPLE: Using a cross-sectional design, 451 patients (18-65 years) completed a questionnaire assessing pre-illness and present physical activity; motivation and information received.RESULTS: Patients reported a significant decline in physical activity from pre-illness to the time in active treatment (p<0.001). Amongst the respondents, 68% answered that they believed exercise to be beneficial; and 78% claimed not exercising as much as desired. Exercise barriers included fatigue (74%) and physical discomfort (45%). Present physical activity behaviour was associated with pre-illness physical activity behaviour (p<0.001), exercise belief (p<0.001), and diagnosis (p<0.001). More patients <40 years than patients >40 years (OR 0.36, p<0.001); more men than women (OR 2.12, p<0.001); and more oncological than haematological patients (OR 0.41, p<0.001) stated being informed about physical activity. Moreover patients who claimed to have been informed about exercise were more in agreement with being able to exercise while undergoing chemotherapy (OR 1.69, p=0.023).CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Danish adult cancer patients in chemotherapy experience a significant decline in physical activity behaviour. Results indicate a general positive interest in physical activity amongst the patients, which however may be only suboptimally exploited.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Chi-Square Distribution

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Exercise

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Leisure Activities

KW - Logistic Models

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Motivation

KW - Neoplasms

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2009.01.006

DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2009.01.006

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19230768

SN - 1462-3889

VL - 13

SP - 116

EP - 121

JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing

JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing

IS - 2

ER -