Stevinson, C., Steed, H., Faught, W., Tonkin, K., Vallance, J.K., Ladha, A.B., . . . Courneya, K.S. (2009). Physical activity in ovarian cancer survivors: Associations with fatigue, sleep, and psychosocial functioning. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 19, 73–78.
To investigate the associations between physical activity and health-related outcomes in ovarian cancer survivors and examine any dose-response relationship and to investigate associations between physical activity and peripheral neuropathy, depression, anxiety, sleep latency, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction
Participants with confirmed ovarian cancer from 1985–2005 were asked to complete and return a consent form and questionnaire. Non-responders were sent a reminder postcard after two weeks and a second questionnaire after four weeks. The study took place from May 2006–June 2007.
A total of 359 ovarian cancer survivors participated, of whom 31.1% were meeting the public health physical activity guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those meeting the guidelines reported significantly lower fatigue than those who did not meet the guidelines. Meeting the guidelines was significantly inversely associated with peripheral neuropathy, depression, anxiety, sleep latency, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction and was positively associated with happiness, sleep quality, and sleep efficiency. No evidence existed of a dose-response relationship beyond meeting or not meeting the guidelines for any variables.
Ovarian cancer survivors who were meeting physical activity guidelines reported more favorable outcomes of fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, sleep, and psychosocial functioning, compared to those who were sedentary or reported low activity.
Results of this population-based study suggest that ovarian cancer survivors may have fewer and less severe symptoms (e.g., fatigue, depression, neuropathy) and more health-related benefits (e.g, better sleep, greater happiness), if they increase physical activity during or after cancer treatment.