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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

Published in:

01-12-2018

Barriers to physical activity: a study of academic and community cancer survivors with pain

Authors: Sally A. D. Romero, Justin C. Brown, Joshua M. Bauml, Jennifer L. Hay, Q. Susan Li, Roger B. Cohen, Jun J. Mao

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity (PA) for patients with cancer, many cancer survivors report challenges to participating in PA. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess barriers to PA and (2) to examine participant characteristics associated with modifiable barriers to PA among cancer survivors with pain.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey study at one academic medical center and 11 community hospitals. Participants completed the 12-item Physical Activity Barriers After Cancer (PABAC) instrument (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75). Multivariable regression models examined participant characteristics associated with PABAC scores with a higher score indicating more barriers to PA.

Results

Among 662 survivors, 67% had moderate or severe pain (rating 4 or greater on a scale of 0 to 10). Seventy-five percent of survivors did not meet the American Cancer Society PA recommendations on average, and these individuals had higher mean PABAC scores (beta coefficient (β) = 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–3.09, p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, cancer survivors who were non-white (β = 1.55, 0.28–2.82, p = 0.02), treated at a community hospital (β = 1.07, 0.09–2.05, p = 0.03), had surgery (β = 1.69, 0.69–2.69, p = 0.001), or within 12 months of diagnosis (β = 1.15, 0.20–2.10, p = 0.02) reported greater barriers to PA.

Conclusions

The majority of cancer survivors with pain are not adequately participating in PA. Key demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with survivors’ barriers.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Efforts to overcome specific barriers are needed to promote PA after a cancer diagnosis.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Barriers to physical activity: a study of academic and community cancer survivors with pain
Authors: Sally A. D. Romero
Justin C. Brown
Joshua M. Bauml
Jennifer L. Hay
Q. Susan Li
Roger B. Cohen
Jun J. Mao
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-018-0711-y

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for Cancer Survivors

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