Abstract
Little is known about the relationship between motivational readiness for physical activity and quality of life (QOL) in long-term lung cancer survivors. Long-term survivors are considered those who are living 5 years or more following a cancer diagnosis. This project examined the relationship between a self-report measure of motivational readiness for physical activity and QOL in a sample of 272 long-term lung cancer survivors. Participants (54% male, average age 70 years old) completed the mailed survey an average of 6 years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Survey measures included the stage of change for physical activity and a set of single item QOL and symptom scales. Thirty-seven percent of respondents reported they currently engaged in regular physical activity (a total of 30 min or more per day, at least 5 days per week). Kruskal-Wallis tests revealed that those who reported engaging in regular physical activity reported a better overall QOL, better QOL on all five domains of QOL functioning (mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual), and fewer symptoms compared to those with a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity level may have important QOL and symptom management benefits for long-term lung cancer survivors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 117-122 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Lung Cancer |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2008 |
Keywords
- Exercise
- Motivational readiness
- Physical activity
- Quality of life
- Stage of change
- Survivor
- Symptom control
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Cancer Research