Assessing the Relationship Between Physical Fitness Activities, Cognitive Health, and Quality of Life Among Older Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, known as "chemobrain," has been described as a side effect of chemotherapy and is associated with cognitive changes on quality of life especially among older cancer survivors. This longitudinal feasibility study examined the relationship between physical fitness, cognitive health, and quality of life among two groups of older adults: those on chemotherapy, and those who have completed chemotherapy. To assess cognitive health, we used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and demographic information from the Healthy Brain Questionnaire. For quality of life, we used the McGill Quality of Life assessment. Physical activity was assessed using Metabolic Equivalency Tasks from the Compendium of Physical Activities classification system. t-Tests and regression analyses indicated that at Time 1 those on chemotherapy had lower cognitive health scores than those off chemotherapy. Yet at Time 2, as physical activities increased, cognitive health and quality of life improved for those on chemotherapy. However, those who had completed chemotherapy also benefited from an increase in physical activities over time. The results have implications for health care practitioners in oncology settings to better inform patients of cognitive challenges resulting from chemotherapy and the importance of participation in physical activities. Future research should compare different age groups among a larger sample.

Prospective analysis of psychological differences between adult and elderly cancer patients during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy

“…As for QoL, both adult and older patients reported a clinically relevant decrease in their QoL after the chemotherapy was completed. This is also reflected in previous studies only in elderly population by Puts et al [27] and Fitzpatrick et al [28].…”

Effects of Exercise Interventions and Physical Activity Behavior on Cancer Related Cognitive Impairments: A Systematic Review

“…A correlation between physical activity and cognition was only found for the visual memory domain. In addition to these cross-sectional studies, Fitzpatrick et al [ 48 ] compared prostate and breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with patients in the aftercare in view of cognitive abilities and physical activity behavior. Patients undergoing chemotherapy showed impaired cognitive functions (measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment).…”

Associations Between Physical Fitness Indices and Working Memory in Breast Cancer Survivors and Age-Matched Controls

“…24 Cancer survivors undergoing or having completed chemotherapy, who increased physical activity, have also reported improved cognitive health over time. 25 In older adults, objectively-measured total daily physical activity has been positively associated with global measures of cognition 26 and shorter response times during a working memory task in comparison with older adults with lower physical activity levels. 27 Unfortunately, the majority of breast cancer survivors do not meet national physical activity recommendations.…”