June 18, 2015Psycho-Oncology130 citationsOpen Access
View Full PaperCompliance to exercise‐oncology guidelines in prostate cancer survivors and associations with psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and quality of life
Key Result
Only 12.3% of Australian prostate cancer survivors met contemporary exercise guidelines, and inactivity was associated with higher global distress (p=0.01) and poorer quality of life.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=463)
Structured PICO
Does compliance with exercise-oncology guidelines improve psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and quality of life in prostate cancer survivors?
P
Population
463 Australian prostate cancer survivors assessed at 10.8 months post-curative therapy for exercise guideline compliance and psychological outcomes.
E
Exposure
Compliance with current exercise guidelines for cancer survivors (150 min of moderate intensity or 75 min of strenuous exercise per week and twice weekly resistance exercise)
C
Comparator
Insufficiently active or inactive
O
Outcome
Psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and quality of lifepatient reported
Only a small proportion of prostate cancer survivors meet exercise guidelines, and inactivity is associated with higher psychological distress and poorer quality of life.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of Australian prostate cancer survivors meeting contemporary exercise-oncology guidelines and identify associations with distress, unmet supportive care needs, and quality of life. METHODS: A population-based cohort of 463 prostate cancer survivors who were on 10.8 months post-curative therapy was assessed for compliance with current exercise guidelines for cancer survivors, motivational readiness for physical activity, psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and quality of life. RESULTS: Only 57 men (12.3%) reported sufficient exercise levels (150 min of moderate intensity or 75 min of strenuous exercise per week and twice weekly resistance exercise), 186 (40.2%) were insufficiently active, and 220 (47.5%) were inactive. Among inactive men, 99 (45.0%) were in the contemplation or preparation stage of motivation readiness. Inactive men had higher global distress (p = 0.01) and Brief Symptom Inventory-Anxiety (p < 0.05) than those who were insufficiently active. Total Supportive Care Needs and International Prostate Cancer Symptom scores were higher in inactive than insufficiently and sufficiently active men (p < 0.05). Lack of physical activity contributed to poorer quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small proportion of Australian prostate cancer survivors met contemporary exercise-oncology recommendations despite increasing recognition of exercise to improve patient outcomes. Strategies are urgently required to increase prostate cancer survivors' participation in aerobic and resistance exercise training.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.