Social Support and Physical Activity in the Perioperative Period and Six Months After Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Abstract

According to the recommendations of the ERAS protocol, physical activity is a key behaviour for pre-surgical preparation of patients. Our research aimed at determining the relationship between social support and physical activity in preparation for colon cancer resection and half a year after the surgery. The research was carried out among patients with colon cancer. The measurement used a longitudinal scheme, before the surgery (T1) (N = 151) and six months after (T2) (N = 105). We measured such variables as: physical activity, social support (OSS-3), the feeling of self-efficacy (GSES), and the experienced disease symptoms (Brief IPQ). A decrease in the intensity of physical activity before the surgery was reported comparing to the period before cancer had been diagnosed. Before the surgery, social support facilitated an increase in the intensity of physical activity, whereas half a year after the surgery social support had a negative impact on the intensity of physical activity. Social support does not contribute to patients’ physical activity after the surgery. This conclusion ought to be considered when directing families and caregivers not to relieve the patients of carrying out the majority of their duties after the surgery.