Relationship of anxiety and depression symptoms with the different domains of physical activity in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Background Physical activity (PA) has shown benefits in the mental health of breast cancer (BC) survivors. However, it is unclear if different domains of PA are related to the emotional well-being of this population. The objective of this study was to verify the relationship between different domains of PA [occupational, exercise/sport participation and leisure time/commuting] with symptoms of anxiety and depression in BC survivors.Methods It is a cross-sectional study, composed of 128 women breast cancer survivor, in which the socioeconomic class was evaluated through the questionnaire of the Brazilian Association of Research Companies (ABEP), PA level was evaluated through the Baecke questionnaire, and, symptoms of anxiety and depression were evaluated through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results It was verified that occupational PA related to anxiety (B = 1.44 [95% CI: 0.11; 2.76]) and leisure time/commuting PA was negatively related to depression (B=-0.99 [95% CI: -1.64;-0.34]), even after adjustment of analysis by age, marital status, and socioeconomic status. There was no correlation between exercise/sport participation with scores of anxiety and depression in BC survivors. Physical activity at leisure time/commuting was negatively related with depression in BC survivors with mastectomy (B=-1.20 [95% CI:-1.92; -0.47).Limitations The difficulty of recruiting the studied population and the absence of subsidy for participation in the study are factors to be considerate.Conclusions Occupational PA may not to be indicated in the management of emotional disorders in BC survivors; however, leisure time/commuting may be recommended to contribute to the mental well-being of this population.