The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels And Quality Of Life Among Hong Kong Chinese Cancer Patients: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Numerous evidence associates physical activity with tremendous health benefits for young cancer patients. Nevertheless, it remains unclear about the situation in Hong Kong. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess and compare the current physical activity levels of young Hong Kong Chinese cancer patients with their pre‐morbid situations and healthy counterparts. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 76 young cancer patients (9‐ to 18‐year‐olds) and 148 healthy counterparts of similar age. They were asked to fill in a set of questionnaires. Results: Around 23% of the young cancer patients considered themselves as having no physical activity at all. Besides, they remain at lower stages of change for exercise (at the pre‐contemplation or contemplation stages) than that reported in their pre‐morbid condition or their healthy counterparts. Particularly, more than 90% of them were in the pre‐contemplation and contemplation stage of Transtheoretical Model, indicating that they did not exercise or seldom do so. Furthermore, a high positive correlation was found between self‐efficacy and physical activity among the cancer patients. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that physical activity is an important indicator of quality of life among young cancer patients. Conclusions: This study highlighted the importance and urge to design and evaluate appropriate strategies to promote physical activity among the young cancer patients through enhancing self‐efficacy, consequently, improving their quality of life during treatment.