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Physical activity correlates and barriers in head and neck cancer patients

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Abstract

Purpose

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

Materials and 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 (β = 0.38; p = 0.002) and symptom index (β = −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.

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Acknowledgment

Grant support: Dr. Courneya is supported by Canada Research Chairs Program; Research Team Grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC); Canadian Cancer Society (CCS); NCIC/CCS Sociobehavioral Cancer Research Network.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, SIU School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19636, Springfield, IL, 62794-9636, USA

    Laura Q. Rogers & Krishna Rao

  2. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Kerry S. Courneya

  3. Department of Surgery, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA

    K. Thomas Robbins, James Malone & Alison Seiz

  4. University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL, USA

    Lori Koch

Authors
  1. Laura Q. Rogers
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  2. Kerry S. Courneya
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  3. K. Thomas Robbins
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  4. James Malone
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  5. Alison Seiz
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  6. Lori Koch
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  7. Krishna Rao
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Correspondence to Laura Q. Rogers.

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Rogers, L.Q., Courneya, K.S., Robbins, K.T. et al. Physical activity correlates and barriers in head and neck cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 16, 19–27 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0293-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0293-0

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