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ABSTRACT
Exercise and physical activity are highly recommended for cancer survivors. This study aims to identify the patient characteristics associated with behavioral changes and the maintenance of exercise habits through Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) by licensed physiotherapists during outpatient care.Materials and Methods
Participants in this case–control study were outpatients with cancer who underwent uninsured SET at Matsue City Hospital Cancer Center from April 1, 2017 to April 1, 2021. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Participants were divided into two groups: a Continuation Group that remained in SET for at least 24 weeks and showed sufficient behavioral change, and a Dropout Group that withdraw from SET before the 24th week. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression, with patient characteristics as the independent variable and SET continuation as the dependent variable.
Results
A total of 54 participants (median age, 58 years), including 38 female participants (70%), were in this study. The most common type of cancer was breast cancer, most commonly stage IV, and 33 patients (61%) were receiving treatment. Half were in the Continuation Group consisting of 27 patients (50%). Factors significantly associated with SET continuation were age (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.07 [1.00–1.13]), treatment completion (4.29 [1.15–16.05]), and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 dyspnea score (0.34 [0.12–0.99]).
Conclusion
Older age, treatment completion, and the absence of dyspnea correlated with SET continuation and maintenance of exercise habits in outpatients with cancer.