Key result
Among 129 cancer patients from online self-help groups, 62% met weekly aerobic activity recommendations, and younger age was a significant predictor for higher total physical activity (β = -0.19, p = 0.033).
Why the study?
Physical activity reduces side effects and improves quality of life in cancer patients, but physical activity levels, predictors, and attitudes among German cancer patients remain understudied.
Cross-Sectional (n=129)
Effect estimate: β = -0.19
p-value: p=0.033
A majority of cancer patients in online self-help groups met physical activity recommendations and had a positive attitude towards it, with younger age predicting higher activity levels.
May support age-tailored PA encouragement in cancer self-help groups; leaves open causal effects and generalizability.
PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is important for cancer patients during and after therapy with respect to reducing side effects and improving quality of life. The aim of the study was to examine how physically active German cancer patients are and to identify predictors for PA. In addition, patients were asked about their attitude towards PA. METHODS: A questionnaire was passed on to members of self-help groups. Multiple regression analyses were run to examine possible predictors such as self-efficacy, patient activation, gender, previous PA, therapy status, and age for PA. RESULTS: 62% of the participants followed the official recommendations by the American Cancer Society for weekly aerobic activity. Multiple regression analyses could confirm age as a predictor for total PA. Higher self-efficacy and patient activation were associated with lower disease burden and a more positive attitude towards PA. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the minor knowledge about PA among cancer patients. The examined group showed that there is potential for improvement regarding PA, although the majority had a positive attitude towards PA. Because of the small sample size existing of online self-help group members, results should be taken with caution.
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Roth et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Cancer (n=129). Age, self-efficacy, and patient activation was evaluated on Predictors of total physical activity (MET-min/week) (β = -0.19, p=0.033). Among 129 cancer patients from online self-help groups, 62% met weekly aerobic activity recommendations, and younger age was a significant predictor for higher total physical activity (β = -0.19, p = 0.033).
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