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

Siobhan M. Phillips*, Gillian R. Lloyd, Elizabeth A. Awick, Edward McAuley

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: 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. Methods: 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. Results: The hypothesized model provided a good fit in the full sample (χ2 = 1462.5, df = 469, p = <0.001; CFI = 0.96; SRMR = 0.04) and the accelerometer subsample (χ2 = 961.8, df = 535, p = <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. Conclusions: 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1390-1399
Number of pages10
JournalPsycho-oncology
Volume26
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2017

Keywords

  • distress
  • fatigue
  • physical activity
  • selfefficacy
  • subjective memory impairment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Oncology

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