Factors influencing physical activity behaviors in colorectal cancer survivors.

Purpose: To elucidate factors that impact intention (INT) to be active as well as actual physical activity (PA) behavior in colorectal cancer survivors (CRC-S) using the theory of planned behavior (TpB). Planning for PA was explored as a mediator of the INT-behavior relationship. Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and fatigue were also explored.

Design: A cross-sectional quantitative mailed survey was used.

Setting: The study was conducted among community-dwelling adults living in Pennsylvania when diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Subjects: Subjects comprised 843 CRC-S diagnosed with CRC in Pennsylvania in 2009.

Measures: The survey included questions about planning for PA, TpB constructs, medical and social variables, and PA as measured by a modified Godin Leisure Time Questionnaire.

Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. A mediation analysis was used to determine if planning mediated the relationship between INT and actual PA behavior. A stepwise regression was used to determine predictors of INT and PA.

Results: Ninety-six CRC-S responded, with 25% meeting PA recommendations for health promotion, suggesting that CRC-S are insufficiently active. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) and social norm (SN) accounted for 43% of the variance in INT, whereas 30% of the variance in PA was explained by PBC and age. Neuropathy negatively impacted PA behavior (p = .008). Both action and coping planning partially mediated the INT-behavior relationship (β = 20.08, p = .007; β = 22.85, p = .001, respectively).

Conclusion: Survivors at risk for inactivity are those with low PBC, low SN, and neuropathy, and those who are older.