Speaker
Description
Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) often experience long-term adverse effects that may compromise physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), with potential implications for psychosocial outcomes including depression, affect and distress. This study explored associations between physical- and psychosocial outcomes in CCS.
Methods: 84 CCS (42% male, 0.5-10 years after chemo- and/or radiotherapy, median age at diagnosis: 14.1 years(IQR:5.1)) and 84 matched healthy controls were included. Participants performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill to assess peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Distress Thermometer (practical-, social-, emotional-, religious- and physical subscales), and positive- and negative affect scales (PANAS). PA was measured through daily steps using a Fitbit Sense for 14 days. Subgroup analyses were performed for diagnosis type, treatment type, treatment duration and time since diagnosis.
Results: CCS had a lower VO2peak compared to controls (34.8±7.2 vs 44.0±7.0 ml/kg/min,p<.001) and fewer daily steps (8800±2994 vs 11441±4009,p<.001). There were no significant associations between physical and psychosocial variables in CCS or controls. However, in CCS with hematological malignancies (n=42), BDI-II scores correlated moderately with PA and VO2peak (r=-.346,p=.033;r=-.525,p=.002) and emotional problems correlated moderately with VO2peak (ρ=-.369,p=.027). Among CCS treated with only chemotherapy, PA correlated moderately with BDI-II scores and positive affect (n=54, r=-.336,p=.011;ρ=.308,p=.033). In this group, VO2peak correlated moderately with BDI-II scores and emotional problems (r=-.402,p=.009;ρ=-.345,p=.019). CCS with treatment duration above the median (n=44,>0.69 years) showed a moderate correlation between PA and positive affect (r=.404,p=.012). CCS with time since cancer diagnosis below the median (n=42,<4.97 years), VO2peak correlated moderately with emotional problems and physical problems (r=-.428,p =.012;r=-.379,p =.027).
Conclusions: CCS demonstrated lower CRF and PA than matched controls. Stronger associations between physical and psychosocial outcomes were present among CCS after hematological malignancies, treatment with only chemotherapy, longer treatment duration and shorter time since cancer diagnosis.
Keywords
childhood cancer survivor, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, psychosocial questionnaires
| Abstract submitters declaration | yes |
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| Conflict of Interest & Ethical Approval | yes |
