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The physical activity of colorectal cancer survivors during chemotherapy

Based on the theory of planned behavior

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity (PA) of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors during chemotherapy and to explain it based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In addition, the effects of planning, past physical activity (P-PA), and self-efficacy on the PA of CRC survivors were analyzed.

Methods

CRC survivors were recruited in a third-grade hospital of Changchun via a convenience sampling method. All survivors were asked to complete self-report questionnaires assessing medical and demographic variables, PA, constructs from the TPB, P-PA, planning, and self-efficacy.

Results

A total of 174 CRC survivors were included in this study. Only 7.5% (13) of these CRC survivors had sufficient PA, and 32.2% (56) of CRC survivors were completely sedentary. Gender, education level, working status, residential location, method of payment for medical expenses, and cancer stage were all associated with PA in these patients (P < 0.05). The path model was able to explain 54% (R2 = 0.54) of the PA variance in these CRC survivors. P-PA had the greatest impact on PA during chemotherapy, and P-PA affected PA both directly and indirectly through planning.

Conclusions

Insufficient PA in CRC survivors was associated with a variety of factors, with P-PA having the greatest impact on this outcome. The results of this study suggest that attention must be paid to survivors who had exhibited insufficient PA prior to initial diagnosis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to show their deepest gratitude to their teachers who have provided them with valuable guidance.

Funding

This manuscript was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81570491)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin province, China

    Yinan Bao, Ruxin Jiang, Yuewei Li & Feng Li

  2. School of Nursing, Inner Mongolia Medical College, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

    Yinan Bao

  3. The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin province, China

    Si Chen, Lei Chen & Jiandong Tai

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  1. Yinan Bao
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  2. Si Chen
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  7. Jiandong Tai
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Correspondence to Feng Li or Jiandong Tai.

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Bao, Y., Chen, S., Jiang, R. et al. The physical activity of colorectal cancer survivors during chemotherapy. Support Care Cancer 28, 819–826 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04873-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04873-3

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