Determinants of Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors With Fatigue in Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract : This is the first study in Taiwan to report the complex nature of the factors that influence exercise behavior among breast cancer survivors and to demonstrate cross-cultured applicability of the instruments. The natural progression of exercise participation over 6 months after completion of adjuvant treatment was observed to examine the relationship between those factors and exercise behavior among 196 women with stage 0-III breast cancer mean age 47.63 +/- 9.91 years. Results indicated that women did increase their exercise participation over time and the overall amount and intensity of exercise participation were below recommended guidelines. At baseline, exercise frequency was significantly predicted by age education, exercise history social support for exercise, exercise self-efficacy, and two significant interactions. Surprisingly, exercise outcome expectancy did not predict exercise frequency. For change over time, the overall change of exercise self-efficacy was not significant, but exercise outcome expectancy and exercise frequency revealed significant changes over 6 months. Baseline age, mental health, exercise barriers, social support for exercise, exercise outcome expectancy made a significant contribution to explaining the variance in exercise frequency change over 6 months. The findings partially supported the study's model. The findings from this study would contribute significantly to the literature on psychosocial and exercise aspects of breast cancer survivors in Taiwan.