The Characteristics Of Physical Activity And Psychological Factors In Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the level of physical activity (PA), psychological factors and exercise preferences in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with stage 2-3 CRC undergoing adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy were recruited. The following questionnaires were used at baseline and during the 3rd and 7th chemotherapy cycle: IPAQ, EORTC QLQ-C30, FACIT-Fatigue. Additionally, the amount of PA was assessed for 2 weeks during the second cycle of chemotherapy with accelerometer. Exercise preferences were surveyed at baseline. RESULTS: A 3-month follow-up of PA level of participants did not significantly differ between chemotherapy cycles. However, the level of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) and step counts (SC) measured by accelerometer were significantly different between the week of chemotherapy and the week immediately after chemotherapy (MVPA, 35.08±19.74 vs. 43.82±25.65 min per week, p=.015 ; SC, 5,458±2,628 vs. 6,246±2,706 step per week, p=.037). A 3-month follow-up of quality of life show significant difference in social function (80.56±24.40 vs. 68.89±30.24 vs. 78.89±27.31, p=.011) and nausea/vomiting (8.89±17.36 vs. 19.44±20.57 vs. 20.56±18.41, p=.009), but not for fatigue. Participants’ most favorite exercise was walking (33.3%) and they want to exercise with family (50%), 3 times a week (66.7%) and 30~60 minutes per day (56.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the level of PA does not differ between chemotherapy cycles, however, PA level reduced the week immediately after chemotherapy. The results of this study provide important information for the development of evidence based exercise programs for CRC patients undergoing chemotherapy.