The Assessment and Relationship Between Quality of Life and Physical Activity Levels in Greek Breast Cancer Female Patients under Chemotherapy

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) can be a complementary intervention during breast cancer (BCa) treatment, contributing to the alleviation of the chemotherapy-related side-effects. The purpose of this study was to assess physical activity (PA) levels and quality of life (QoL) parameters of BCa patients undergoing chemotherapy and compare them with healthy controls. A total of 94 BCa female patients and 65 healthy women were recruited and self-reported QoL and PA levels. The results reveal that women suffering from BCa spent only 134 ± 469 metabolic equivalents (MET)/week in vigorous PAs compared with the healthy females who spent 985±1508 MET/week. Also, BCa patients were spending 4.62±2.58 h/day sitting, contrary to the 2.34±1.05 h/day of the controls. QoL was scored as 63.43±20.63 and 70.14±19.49 while physical functioning (PF) as 71.48±23.35 and 84.46±15.48 by BCa patients and healthy participants, respectively. Negative correlations were found between QoL and fatigue, PF and pain, and fatigue and dyspnea, while a positive correlation was found between QoL and PF. This study indicated that the BCa group accumulated many hours seated and refrained from vigorous Pas, preferring PAs of moderate intensity. Additionally, BCa patients’ levels of functioning and QoL were moderate to high; however, they were compromised by pain, dyspnea and fatigue.

Unraveling the “golden ratio”: a pilot study investigating acute-to-chronic workload ratio in breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment

“…Physical activity levels and exercise program participation can maintain or improve QoL in breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment and survivors. For example, breast cancer females under chemotherapy demonstrate a positive correlation between the physical functioning of EORTC-QLQ-C30 and total energy expenditure measured by IPAQ ( Maridaki et al, 2020 ). Breast cancer patients also have a lower level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( Irwin et al, 2004 ; Gal et al, 2019 ; Maridaki et al, 2020 ).…”

“…For example, breast cancer females under chemotherapy demonstrate a positive correlation between the physical functioning of EORTC-QLQ-C30 and total energy expenditure measured by IPAQ ( Maridaki et al, 2020 ). Breast cancer patients also have a lower level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( Irwin et al, 2004 ; Gal et al, 2019 ; Maridaki et al, 2020 ). Our sample was considered sedentary based on baseline MET-minutes/week (IPAQ = 1041.75 [IQR 25-75 810.38, 2235.75]).…”

Hubungan Aktivitas Fisik Harian dengan Kualitas Hidup Penyintas Kanker Payudara

“…Penyintas kanker payudara dapat meningkatkan kualitas hidup dengan cara alami dan menjaga kesehatan dan mencegah penyakit dengan aktivitas fisik harian (Eyl, et al 2018). Hasil penelitian Maridaki (2020) aktivitas fisik harian mempunyai peran penting dalam meningkatkan kualitas hidup pasien. Hasil penelitian oleh Robertson (2019) yang menunjukkan bahwa aktivitas fisik mempunyai peran penting dalam meningkatkan kualitas hidup pasien.…”

The Effect of a Home-Based Tele-Exercise Training Program on the Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…More specifically, some of the abovementioned exercise-induced adaptations include the compensation of bone and mass loss, increase of antioxidant capacity, regulation of sex hormones, increased insulin sensitivity and enhanced immune response [ 13 , 15 ]. In addition, exercise interventions counteract many psychological and emotional distresses, being effective in the reduction of anxiety, PTSD and depression, as well as in enhancing the overall health-related QoL [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The exercise-induced physiological mechanisms implicated in the modulation of stress-related disorders include the increased reactivity of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, neurogenesis, secretion of myokines and monoamine and opioid systems.…”