Relationship between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity and subjective memory impairment in breast cancer survivors: role of self-efficacy, fatigue and distress : Activity, psychosocial factors and subjective memory impairment cancer survivors

Abstract

<div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S1"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6324858e138">Purpose</h5> <p id="P1">Many breast cancer survivors report cancer and cancer treatment-associated cognitive change. However, very little is known about the relationship between physical activity and subjective memory impairment (SMI) in this population. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physical activity and SMI and longitudinally test a model examining the role of self-efficacy, fatigue and distress as potential mediators. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S2"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6324858e143">Methods</h5> <p id="P2">Post-treatment breast cancer survivors (N=1477) completed measures of physical activity, self-efficacy, distress (depression, concerns about recurrence, perceived stress, anxiety), fatigue and SMI at baseline and 6-month follow-up. A subsample (n= 362) was randomly selected to wear an accelerometer. It was hypothesized that physical activity indirectly influences SMI via exercise self-efficacy, distress and fatigue. Relationships were examined using panel analysis within a covariance modeling framework. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S3"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6324858e148">Results</h5> <p id="P3">The hypothesized model provided a good fit in the full sample (χ ²= 1462.5, df = 469, <i>p</i> = &lt; 0.001; CFI= 0.96; SRMR= 0.04) and the accelerometer subsample (χ2 = 961.8, df = 535, <i>p = &lt;</i>0.001, CFI = 0.94, SRMR= 0.05) indicating increased physical activity is indirectly associated with reduction in SMI across time, via increased exercise self-efficacy and reduced distress and fatigue. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S4"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6324858e162">Conclusions</h5> <p id="P4">Higher levels of physical activity, lower levels of fatigue and distress and higher exercise self-efficacy may play an important role in understanding SMI in breast cancer survivors across time. Future research is warranted to replicate and explore these relationships further. </p> </div>