Determinants of Physical Activity in Palliative Cancer Patients: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background

Increasing evidence points to the theory of planned behavior as a useful framework to understand physical activity behavior in cancer patients.

Objective

Our primary aim was to examine the demographic, medical, and social–cognitive correlates of physical activity in palliative cancer patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to advanced cancer patients aged 18 years or older with a clinician-estimated life expectancy of less than 12 months and Palliative Performance Scale >30%, from outpatient palliative care, oncology clinics, and palliative home care.

Results

Fifty participants were recruited. Correlates of total physical activity levels were affective attitude (r = 0.36, P = .011), self-efficacy (r = 0.36, P = .010), and intention (r = 0.30, P = .034). Participants who reported 60 minutes or more of total physical activity daily reported significantly higher affective attitude (M = 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26–1.6, P = .008) and self-efficacy (M = 0.8, 95% CI 0.0–1.5, P = .046). Participants <60 years of age (M = 343, 95% CI −7 to 693, P = .054) and who were normal or underweight (M = 333, 95% CI −14 to 680, P = .059) reported higher weekly minutes of total physical activity.

Limitations

Our small sample may not be representative of the total palliative cancer population.

Conclusions

Affective attitude, self-efficacy, and intention were the strongest correlates of total physical activity levels, and younger and normal/underweight participants did more physical activity.