Exercise interest and preferences among patients diagnosed with primary brain cancer

Self-reported physical activity preferences in individuals with prediabetes

PURPOSE

The primary objective of this study was to determine the physical activity (PA) preferences in a sample of individuals with prediabetes.

METHODS

Individuals with prediabetes (N = 232) residing in Northern Alberta, Canada completed a mailed questionnaire that assessed demographic and health variables, self-reported PA (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), and PA preferences.

RESULTS

Respondents indicated they would like to be counseled about PA (75%), were physically able to participate (96%), were interested in a PA program for individuals with prediabetes (86%), and were most interested in walking (71%). Activity status, number of comorbidities, level of employment, marital status, body mass index, and time since diagnosis with prediabetes all demonstrated significant influence on different PA preference variables.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a demand for PA-related programs for individuals with prediabetes. Incorporating identified PA preferences of those with prediabetes might aid in the development of relevant intervention tools, programs, and strategies to support PA.

Physical activity type and intensity among rural breast cancer survivors: patterns and associations with fatigue and depressive symptoms

INTRODUCTION

Our study aims were to describe physical activity patterns and associations with fatigue and depressive symptoms among rural breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

Population-based, mailed survey of 483 rural breast cancer survivors including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

RESULTS

With regard to type and intensity, domestic/gardening and moderate intensity accounted for the largest percentage of total energy expenditure (i.e., 60% and 69%, respectively). MET-mins/week variables were categorized as 0, > 0 to < 500, and ≥ 500 to reflect sedentary, insufficient, and meets current public health recommendations. After adjustment, fatigue was significantly associated with domestic/gardening (mean fatigue for sedentary, insufficient, and meets recommendations were 18.9, 16.4, and 13.4, respectively; p = .0019), leisure activity (means were 16.0, 14.5, and 11.8, respectively; p = .047), moderate intensity (means were 18.4, 16.7, and 13.7, respectively; p = .011), and daily minutes sitting (means for ≤ 120 min, > 120 to ≤ 360 min, and > 360 min of sitting were 12.5, 14.2, and 17.2, respectively; p = .0029). Fatigue was not associated with occupational, transportation, walking, or vigorous activity. After adjustment, only leisure activity was associated with depressive symptoms (means for sedentary, insufficient, and meets recommendations were 7.8, 7.7, and 6.2, respectively; p = .039).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity measurement tools that do not include domestic/gardening activities may underestimate physical activity in rural breast cancer populations. Physical activity associations with fatigue and depressive symptoms differed based on physical activity type and intensity suggesting hypotheses related to exercise effects on fatigue and depressive symptoms.

Factors associated with cancer survivors' selection between two group physical activity programs

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity programs have health benefits for cancer survivors, but little is known about factors that influence cancer survivors' actual choices between different physical activity programs. To address this knowledge gap, we examined factors associated with selecting between two group physical activity programs.

METHODS

The present study is nested in a non-randomized trial. After attending an orientation to learn about the programs offered, cancer survivors (n=133) selected between a dragon boat paddling team and group walking program. We measured the association between physical activity program chosen and demographic, clinical, physical and psychosocial characteristics.

RESULTS

Roughly equal proportions chose to participate in dragon boat paddling or walking (55% versus 45%). Of the many variables studied, few were associated with program selection. Compared to those who chose the walking program, those who chose the dragon boat paddling team were more likely to be Caucasians (p= .015) and younger (p= .027), and marginally significantly more like to have cancers other than breast cancer (p= .056) and have greater lower-body strength (.062).

DISCUSSIONS/CONCLUSIONS

Among a cohort of cancer survivors who were interested in physical activity programs who chose between two markedly different group physical activity programs, the two programs attracted groups of approximately the same size and with remarkably similar characteristics overall. The two most notable associations were that Caucasians and younger adults were significantly more likely to choose the dragon boat paddling program.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

To meet the needs of cancer survivors, a menu of physical activity program options may be optimal.

Exercise programming and counseling preferences in bladder cancer survivors: a population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Despite growing evidence of the benefits of exercise in cancer survivors, exercise participation rates are low. Understanding the unique exercise programming and counseling preferences of different cancer survivor groups may facilitate the delivery of optimal exercise programs in these growing populations. To date, no study has examined these preferences in bladder cancer survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were 397 bladder cancer survivors who completed a mailed survey in the province of Alberta, Canada.

RESULTS

The majority of survivors indicated they would be interested (81.1%) and able (84.3%) to participate in an exercise program designed for bladder cancer survivors. We also found strong preferences for home-based exercise programming (53.7%), walking (81.1%), moderate intensity activity (61.7%) and unsupervised sessions (70.6%). Logistic regression analyses showed that older survivors were more likely to prefer to exercise at home (77 vs. 68%; OR = 4.21, 95% CI = 0.188-0.962, p = 0.040), do light intensity exercise (33 vs. 16%; OR = 4.50, 95% CI = 0.208-0.940, p = 0.034) and want unsupervised exercise sessions (75 vs. 62%; OR = 4.60, 95% CI = 1.07-4.08, p = 0.032). Body mass index, age, adjuvant therapy, marital status, income and education also influenced some exercise preferences.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that bladder cancer survivors are interested in receiving exercise counseling and have some consistent programming preferences including exercising at home, walking, and moderate intensity exercise. Many preferences were modified by demographic and medical factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Understanding the unique exercise preferences of bladder cancer survivors may be used to inform the design and delivery of exercise programs in this growing population.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle among cancer survivors

With improving longevity, the late-occurring adverse effects of cancer and its treatment are becoming increasingly apparent. As in other clinical populations, healthy lifestyle behaviors encompassing weight management, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality significantly in cancer survivors. This article addresses the strength of evidence for recommendations in areas of weight management, diet, exercise, and smoking cessation; and the current evidence examining the efficacy of various intervention approaches to promote health behavior changes among adult cancer survivors.

Unmet supportive care needs and interest in services among patients with a brain tumour and their carers

OBJECTIVES

To assess the supportive care needs and interest in related services among brain tumour patients and their carers and to compare the level of unmet needs to other cancer populations.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was posted to 363 households who were subscribed to the Queensland Cancer Fund Brain Tumour Support Service in 2005. Overall, 75 patients and 70 carers (response rate 29.8%) returned completed questionnaires. Measures were the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-34) and a brain tumour specific subscale for patients and carers, as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS

Patients most frequently reported requiring support to overcome fatigue, uncertainty about the future and not being able to do the things they used to do. Carers wanted help dealing with fears about the patients mental or physical deterioration, with the impact caring had on their own life, and with reducing stress in the patient's life. Among patients, 30% reported anxious mood and 17% depressed mood on the HADS, while corresponding numbers for carers were 40% and 10%, respectively. Patients and/or carers with higher than average supportive care needs expressed greater interest in support services, such as those to improve physical activity, using community services more effectively and to manage stress. Greater emotional distress predicted higher supportive care needs (e.g. odds ratio depressed patients=2.11; (95% confidence interval 1.10-4.03), while no association was detected between patients' or carers' demographic characteristics, or patients' self-reported medical status and higher than average supportive care needs.

CONCLUSION

The level of unmet supportive care needs observed among patients with a brain tumour and their carers is similar to that observed among cancer populations with metastatic disease.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Interventions for this group should integrate lifestyle, coping support, and neuropsychological rehabilitation.