title: Low physical activity levels and functional decline in individuals with lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity has been infrequently measured objectively in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to investigate levels of physical activity, functional and patient reported outcomes at diagnosis and over six months in participants with recently diagnosed NSCLC and compare results with both physical activity guidelines and outcomes of similar-aged healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective observational study assessed 50 individuals from three Australian tertiary hospitals with stage I-IIIB NSCLC at diagnosis, then 10 weeks and six months later. Thirty five healthy individuals without cancer were assessed once. Outcome measures included tri-axial accelerometery (number of steps per day), six minute walk distance (6MWD), muscle strength and questionnaires including health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with NSCLC were engaged in significantly less physical activity than similar-aged healthy individuals, with 60% not meeting physical activity guidelines. At diagnosis they had worse quadriceps strength, nutritional status and HRQoL. Over six months, participants with NSCLC experienced decline in self-reported physical activity, 6MWD and muscle strength, and worsening symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At diagnosis individuals with NSCLC engage in less physical activity, are weaker and more depressed than healthy individuals and their self-reported physical activity declines over six months. Future studies are required to investigate the efficacy of interventions to increase physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Level 7, Alan Gilbert Building, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia. Electronic address: catherine.granger@mh.org.au.
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.affiliation: Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Level 7, Alan Gilbert Building, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murnane
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mileshkin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Meinir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krishnasamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Level 7, Alan Gilbert Building, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Denehy
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking
keywords: Accelerometery; Functional decline; Health-related quality of life; Lung cancer; Physical activity