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Objectively measured physical activity and cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Participants were 136 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Cognitive functioning was assessed using a comprehensive computerized neuropsychological test. Seven-day physical activity was assessed using hip-worn accelerometers. Linear regression models examined associations of minutes per day of physical activity at various intensities on individual cognitive functioning domains. The partially adjusted model controlled for primary confounders (model 1), and subsequent adjustments were made for chemotherapy history (model 2) and body mass index (BMI) (model 3). Interaction and stratified models examined BMI as an effect modifier.

Results

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with information processing speed. Specifically, 10 min of MVPA was associated with a 1.35-point higher score (out of 100) on the information processing speed domain in the partially adjusted model and a 1.29-point higher score when chemotherapy was added to the model (both p < 0.05). There was a significant BMI × MVPA interaction (p = 0.051). In models stratified by BMI (<25 vs. ≥25 kg/m2), the favorable association between MVPA and information processing speed was stronger in the subsample of overweight and obese women (p < 0.05) but not statistically significant in the leaner subsample. Light-intensity physical activity was not significantly associated with any of the measured domains of cognitive function.

Conclusions

MVPA may have favorable effects on information processing speed in breast cancer survivors, particularly among overweight or obese women.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Interventions targeting increased physical activity may enhance aspects of cognitive function among breast cancer survivors.

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Acknowledgments

Research support was provided by funding from the National Cancer Institute (U54 CA155435-01). Ms. Marinac was also a recipient of a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Training Grant (T32), awarded to San Diego State University by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (5 T32 GM084896).

The authors would also like to acknowledge Glen Doniger and the NeuroTrax Corporation for their scientific guidance and generous contribution of cognitive testing software.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Catherine R. Marinac, Loki Natarajan, Ruth E. Patterson & Sheri J. Hartman

  2. Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Catherine R. Marinac

  3. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Suneeta Godbole, Jacqueline Kerr, Loki Natarajan, Ruth E. Patterson & Sheri J. Hartman

  4. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA

    Sheri J. Hartman

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  1. Catherine R. Marinac
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  3. Jacqueline Kerr
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  4. Loki Natarajan
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  5. Ruth E. Patterson
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Correspondence to Sheri J. Hartman.

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Marinac, C.R., Godbole, S., Kerr, J. et al. Objectively measured physical activity and cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 9, 230–238 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0404-0

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