Changes in physical activity and associations with quality of life among a global sample of cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose Meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines (i.e., ≥ 150 min/week of aerobic PA and/or 2 days/week of resistance training) is beneficial for maintaining cancer survivors’ well-being. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA participation in cancer survivors and its association on quality of life (QoL) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare PA levels prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and examine the association between changes in PA and QoL in cancer survivors. Methods A global sample of cancer survivors participated in a cross-sectional, online survey. Participants self-reported their PA participation before and during the pandemic using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and QoL with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scales. Paired t -tests compared PA before and during the pandemic. Analysis of covariance examined differences in QoL between PA categories: non-exercisers, inactive adopters, complete and partial relapsers, single and combined guideline maintainers. Results PA participation of cancer survivors ( N = 488) significantly decreased during the pandemic ( p ’s < .001). Cancer survivors were classified as non-exercisers (37.7%), inactive adopters (6.6%), complete (13.1%) and partial (6.1%) relapsers, and single (23.8%) or combined (12.7%) guideline maintainers. Partial relapsers had significantly lower QoL and fatigue than inactive adopters, and combined guideline maintainers ( p ’s < .05) that were clinically meaningful. Conclusion PA decreased during the pandemic which has negative implications for QoL and fatigue in cancer survivors. Implications for Cancer Survivors PA is critical for maintaining QoL during the pandemic; therefore, behavioral strategies are needed to help cancer survivors adopt and maintain PA.

‘There’s something about admitting that you are lonely’ – prevalence, impact and solutions to loneliness in terminal illness: An explanatory sequential multi-methods study

“…Loneliness was reported by healthcare professionals as prevalent among people with a terminal illness and their carers. While studies have highlighted loneliness as a prevalent issue during COVID-19 due to restrictions to protect public health, 27 – 29 findings highlight such experiences were exacerbated for carers (69.1%) and people with a terminal illness (72.1%) as they approached end of life.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: an observational cohort study

“…An explanation for the negative and positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among subgroups of HNC survivors might be an altered and unequal access to follow-up or supportive care during the COVID-19 pandemic [7,8,17,38,39]. Among colorectal cancer survivors in follow-up care during the COVID-19 pandemic, role, emotional and social functioning, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and anxiety was worse in those survivors who had hospital visits canceled, postponed, or changed into digital care, compared with survivors without changes in their cancer care planning [13].…”

“…An explanation for these different and sometimes contradictory findings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among cancer patients might be that most investigators used cross-sectional study designs, and compared the results to reference values or historical cohorts [9][10][11][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Only few studies investigated HRQOL longitudinally, in which part of the measurements were carried out before the COVID-19 pandemic and others during the pandemic [8,12] or in which cancer patients were prospectively followed during the COVID-19 pandemic [7]. Another explanation for the various previous findings might be that the COVID-19 pandemic affected some patients more than others.…”

Association between Quality of Life and Physical Functioning in a Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

“…Maintaining social activity and PA during the pandemic has been a challenge for most individuals, especially those at high risk for infection. A cross-sectional survey of a global sample of cancer survivors reported a significant decrease in PA and QOL during the pandemic [ 78 ]. In addition, individuals with decreased PA and greater social isolation experienced worsened PF and fall outcomes [ 79 ].…”