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Motivation, exercise, and stress in breast cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

Reduced stress and reduced risk of cancer recurrence are among the many benefits of physical activity (PA) for cancer survivors. Exercise behaviors are linked to motivational factors. We investigated the associations between motivational profile, self-reported levels of PA and stress, and mental functioning in 94 posttreatment breast cancer survivors who voluntarily enrolled in an exercise program.

Methods

Participants completed the Apter Motivational Style Profile (AMSP), Lifetime of Physical Activity (LTPA) Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Medical Outcomes Short Form SF-36® (SF-36), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and provided 10 saliva specimens (to measure cortisol levels). PA levels were calculated in metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-hours/week).

Results

Participants reported high levels of current and historical PA (M = 39.2 MET-h/week, SD = 39.7; M = 14.2 MET-h/week, SD = 15.4, respectively). They also reported high levels of stress (M = 33.6, SD = 4.5) coupled with low mental functionality as measured by SF-36 mental component scale (MCS) (M = 44.4, SD = 8.8). PSS was negatively associated with MCS (r = −0.27, p = 0.009). Salivary cortisol was not associated with any measure. Participants had a conformist (“follow rules”) and alloic (“about others”) motivational profile. No motivational, exercise history, or stress variables were associated with current PA.

Conclusions

As expected, participants reported higher levels of stress and lower mental functioning. Participants presented a unique motivational profile relative to the general population. Further research into the associations of motivation, exercise behaviors, and stress is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Susan G. Komen Foundation Award # SAB08-00005. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The project described was supported by Award Number K22 CA154626 (D.C.H.), U54 CA153511 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) (A.G.R.). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health. Work in R.L.’s lab is supported by an NIH grant (CA161349) and Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) grant (RP110524). The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, an NCI-designated Cancer Center (P30CA054174) and Patient-Reported Outcomes, Survey, and Population Research (PROSPR) Shared Resource, NCI funded CA16672. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Dr. Amy Lang, the ThriveWell™ Cancer Foundation, and the START Center for Cancer Care.

Conflict of interest

The authors confirm that this study was performed using the highest ethical standards complying with all United States laws and declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors have full control of all primary data and will allow the Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer to review the data upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health Promotion Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 1000, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Brandi T. Cuevas, Daniel C. Hughes, Dorothy Long Parma, Rose A. Treviño-Whitaker & Amelie G. Ramirez

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 8403 Floyd Curl, Dr., Room 233 STRF Building, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Sagar Ghosh & Rong Li

Authors
  1. Brandi T. Cuevas
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  2. Daniel C. Hughes
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Correspondence to Brandi T. Cuevas.

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Cuevas, B.T., Hughes, D.C., Parma, D.L. et al. Motivation, exercise, and stress in breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 22, 911–917 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2038-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2038-6

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