Physical activity correlates and barriers in head and neck cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Our study purpose was to determine physical activity correlates and barriers among head and neck cancer patients.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Rogers
Laura Q
LQ
Department of Medicine, SIU School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL 62794-9636, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu
Courneya
Kerry S
KS
Robbins
K Thomas
KT
Malone
James
J
Seiz
Alison
A
Koch
Lori
L
Rao
Krishna
K
D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology