Efverman A. Physical, Leisure, and Daily Living Activities in Patients Before, During, and After Radiotherapy for Cancer: Which Patients Need Support in Activities?
Cancer Nurs 2023;
Publish Ahead of Print:00002820-990000000-00086. [PMID:
36728442 DOI:
10.1097/ncc.0000000000001187]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Avoiding inactivity and staying active during cancer therapy have great health effects.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to describe level of daily, leisure, and physical activities before, during, and after radiotherapy and to investigate whether patients who had not restored activity level after radiotherapy differed from patients who had restored activity level regarding different characteristics.
METHODS
In this descriptive longitudinal study, 196 patients undergoing pelvic-abdominal radiotherapy reported their activity level at baseline, weekly during radiotherapy, and at 1 month after radiotherapy.
RESULTS
Patients decreased activity level during radiotherapy (P < .001 for all activities): physical activity (34% of patients decreased level), walking (26%), leisure activities (44%), social activities (15%), housework (34%), shopping (28%), and activities in general (28%). Almost half (47%) had not restored activity level after radiotherapy. Patients with colorectal cancer, older than 65 years, who had less education than university, and high capacity in overall daily activities at baseline were more likely than other patients not to restore activity level after radiotherapy. The patients not restoring their activity level after radiotherapy were more likely than others to experience anxious mood (P = .016), depressed mood (P = .003), and poor quality of life (P = .003) after radiotherapy.
CONCLUSION
Patients' activity level decreased during radiotherapy, and almost half of patients did not restore activity level after radiotherapy.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Given that restored activity level after radiotherapy was less common in certain subgroups and that patients who restored activity level experienced better quality of life and less frequent anxious and depressed mood, cancer nursing professionals should consider supporting these subgroups of patients in performing activities.
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