Physical activity level and quality of life in long term lung cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
Lung cancer is associated with a multitude of challenges, and lung cancer survivors report significantly lower quality of life (QOL) than other cancer survivors.


METHODS
This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity level and QOL in a large sample of long term lung cancer survivors (N=1937). Average age at diagnosis was 65 years, 92% were Caucasian, and 51% male. Surveys were completed at lung cancer diagnosis and then average 4.2 years post-diagnosis.


RESULTS
Most survivors reported having a sedentary lifestyle at both timepoints. However, 256 survivors reported a change in physical activity level from diagnosis to follow-up. Decreased physical activity (n=140) was associated with decreased overall, mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual QOL (all ps<.001) and decreased symptom control as seen in reported pain, dry coughing, coughing with phlegm, shortness of breath, and level of fatigue (all ps<.05). In contrast, increased physical activity (n=116) was associated with improved QOL (all ps<.05), and improved symptom control as seen in frequency and severity of pain (p<.01). For all participants, those engaging in regular physical activity (30 min or more per day, at least five days per week) reported significantly higher QOL scores (all ps<.001), and better symptom control than more sedentary survivors.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate a significant association between change in physical activity and QOL and symptom control for long term lung cancer survivors, and research exploring interventions designed to improve activity level for lung cancer survivors is further warranted.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55904, USA. solbergnes@msn.com
Lise
L
Solberg Nes
Heshan
H
Liu
Christi A
CA
Patten
Sarah M
SM
Rausch
Jeff A
JA
Sloan
Yolanda I
YI
Garces
Andrea L
AL
Cheville
Ping
P
Yang
Matthew M
MM
Clark
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D017741:Survivors; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult