Physical activity and exercise beliefs of patients with cancer during chemotherapy: relation with social participation and quality of life level
Supportive Care in Cancer, vol.34, no.7, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 34 Issue: 7
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s00520-026-10893-7
- Journal Name: Supportive Care in Cancer
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Database (ProQuest)
- Keywords: Cancer, Exercise beliefs, Physical activity, Quality of life, Social participation
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to examine the physical activity levels and exercise beliefs of patients with cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy and to investigate their associations with social participation and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 101 outpatient cancer cases undergoing chemotherapy. Physical activity level was assessed by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), exercise beliefs with the Exercise Belief Questionnaire. Quality of life with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and social participation with the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI). Results: Participants were mostly female (57.4%) and diagnosed with gastrointestinal system (38.6%) or breast cancer (28.7%). According to the IPAQ total score, 44.5% were inactive and 55.4% were minimally active. In terms of exercise beliefs, many participants agreed that exercise makes them feel better (5.4 ± 1.1), positively affects their mood (5.3 ± 1.3), and reduces stress (5.3 ± 1.2). The most common exercise barriers were fatigue (4.5 ± 1.7), bad weather conditions (4.0 ± 2.1), and lack of motivation (3.9 ± 1.9). Patients with higher physical activity levels reported significantly lower exercise barrier (33.4 ± 8.2 vs. 30.0 ± 9.2, p = 0.021). Physical activity level was positively correlated with EORTC QLQ-C30 function score (r = 0.331, p = 0.001), general health score (r = 0.247, p < 0.05), and RNLI score (r = 0.453, p < 0.001). Furthermore, positive exercise beliefs were positively correlated with IPAQ total score (r = 0.308, p < 0.05) and higher perceived exercise barriers were negatively correlated with all EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life domains (p < 0.05), RNLI total score (r = −0.388, p < 0.001), and IPAQ total score (r = −0.273, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that higher physical activity and lower negative exercise beliefs were associated with better social participation and improved quality of life in patients with cancer. To promote better rehabilitation outcomes, future targeted interventions should focus on enhancing patients’ exercise self-efficacy and directly reducing modifiable barriers, such as fatigue and low motivation, alongside reinforcing positive exercise beliefs.