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- Title
Physical activity correlates and barriers in head and neck cancer patients.
- Authors
Rogers LQ; Courneya KS; Robbins KT; Malone J; Seiz A; Koch L; Rao K; Rogers, Laura Q; Courneya, Kerry S; Robbins, K Thomas; Malone, James; Seiz, Alison; Koch, Lori; Rao, Krishna
- Abstract
<bold>Purpose: </bold>Our study purpose was to determine physical activity correlates and barriers among head and neck cancer patients.<bold>Materials and Methods: </bold>Fifty-nine (response rate = 91%) head and neck cancer patients from an academic oncology clinic enrolled in a cross-sectional study utilizing chart review and self-administered questionnaire.<bold>Results: </bold>The majority were men (83%) and white (92%) with mean age of 58 +/- 12.8 years and mean months since diagnosis of 18.6 +/- 51.9. The strongest bivariate correlates of physical activity included enjoyment (r = 0.41; p = 0.002), symptom index (r = -0.36; p = 0.006), alcohol use (r = 0.36; p = 0.007), task self-efficacy (r = 0.33; p = 0.013), perceived barriers (r = -0.27; p = 0.047), and comorbidity score (r = -0.27; p = 0.042). Stepwise regression demonstrated independent associations with physical activity for enjoyment (beta = 0.38; p = 0.002) and symptom index (beta = -0.33; p = 0.006; R (2) = 0.28). The most prevalent barriers significantly associated with physical activity included dry mouth or throat (r = -0.32; p = 0.016), fatigue (r = -0.27; p = 0.043), drainage in mouth or throat (r = -0.41; p = 0.002), difficulty eating (r = -0.32; p = 0.015), shortness of breath (r = -0.30; p = 0.024), and muscle weakness (r = -0.29; p = 0.033).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Our results showed that the strongest independent correlates of physical activity were social cognitive (i.e., enjoyment) and treatment-related (i.e., symptom index). Treatment-related activity barriers were frequent and significantly associated with reduced activity. Efforts to enhance exercise adherence in head and neck cancer patients should focus on optimizing enjoyment and managing treatment-related barriers.
- Publication
Supportive Care in Cancer, 2008, Vol 16, Issue 1, p19
- ISSN
0941-4355
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1007/s00520-007-0293-0