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Exercise preferences, levels and quality of life in lung cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

Lung cancer poses multiple challenges to adopting an exercise (EX) program, and the ideal timing of an EX program to improve quality of life (QoL) is unknown. This study explored the EX counselling and programming preferences of lung cancer survivors and examined the association of EX before diagnosis, during treatment and after treatment on QoL.

Methods

Cross-sectional, retrospective survey design in a sample of lung cancer survivors. EX preferences were compared between patients who had received radical chest radiation or lung surgery versus those who had not. EX was measured by self-report using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Separate linear regression models, controlling for significant covariates, examined the association of EX at each time point with scores on QoL measures and subscales.

Results

Participants (N = 66, M age 66.4 ± 9.1) were between 4 months and 11.5 years after lung cancer diagnosis (M = 31.7 ± 22.9 months). Patients who had lung surgery were more likely to prefer to start an EX program during adjuvant treatment than those who did not have surgery (t(33) = 2.43, p = .025). Compared to prediagnosis EX (M = 36.7 ± 56.0 MET h/week), EX levels declined significantly during (M = 12.4 ± 25.0 MET h/week) and after (M = 12.3 ± 17.4 MET h/week) treatment (p < .05). After controlling for disease stage and income, regression models were not significant, but EX after treatment was a significant individual predictor of fatigue (β = .049, p = .006) and QoL measured by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (β = .163, p = .025). Conclusions: Lung cancer patient preferences indicate that EX program timing should take into account whether the patient has undergone surgery. Lung cancer survivors’ EX levels declined after diagnosis and engaging in EX after treatment may improve fatigue and QoL.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Funding

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), AHFMR Doctoral Studentship (JAD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    H. J. Leach, K. A. Krenz & S. N. Culos-Reed

  2. Medical University of the Americas, Calgary, AB, Canada

    J. A. Devonish

  3. Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    D. G. Bebb & S. N. Culos-Reed

  4. Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada

    S. N. Culos-Reed

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  1. H. J. Leach
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  2. J. A. Devonish
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  4. K. A. Krenz
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  5. S. N. Culos-Reed
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Correspondence to H. J. Leach.

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Leach, H.J., Devonish, J.A., Bebb, D.G. et al. Exercise preferences, levels and quality of life in lung cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 23, 3239–3247 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2717-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2717-6

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