title: Does physical activity improve quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Improved cancer treatments have resulted in prolonged survival. Nevertheless, tumor symptoms and side effects still compromise physical activity and quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an anonymous survey among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy using standardized questionnaires: the 'Freiburger Fragebogen zur körperlichen Aktivität' (Freiburg Questionnaire on Physical Activity) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30. Two main questions were addressed: were there differences (1) in physical activity and QoL between patients who do not believe that sport could improve their QoL and those who believe it could (group A vs. B); and (2) in QoL between patients with a total activity (TA) < 18 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) h/week and those with a TA of ≥ 18 MET h/week (group C vs. D)?
  
  
  RESULTS
  276 of 400 questionnaires were completed. Groups A and B were balanced in terms of baseline characteristics. Group A suffered significantly more from fatigue and pain; group B reported higher levels of global health status (GHS) and TA. Groups C and D differed in gender distribution, age, and educational background. Group D had significantly higher levels of GHS, group C suffered more from fatigue, pain, and appetite loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity correlates with a better QoL of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: III. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kripp
authors.forename: Anna-Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Heußer
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belle
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merx
authors.forename: Wolf-Karsten
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Ralf-Dieter
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hofheinz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents