title: Physical activity correlates and barriers in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SIU School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL 62794-9636, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu
authors.forename: Laura Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Kerry S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Courneya
authors.forename: K Thomas
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seiz
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: 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