Longitudinal Associations of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity with Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Purpose: We aimed to assess longitudinal associations of sedentary behavior (SB) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) independently, as well as their joint association, with HRQoL, fatigue, and CIPN in CRC survivors. Methods: In a prospective cohort among stage I-stage III CRC survivors (n = 396), five repeated home visits from diagnosis up to 24 months posttreatment were executed. SB was measured using triaxial accelerometers, and MVPA, HRQoL, fatigue, and CIPN were measured by validated questionnaires. We applied confounder-adjusted linear mixed models to analyze longitudinal associations from 6 wk until 24 months posttreatment. Results: Average time in prolonged SB (accumulated in bouts of duration >= 30 min) was 5.3 +/- 2.7 h.d(-1), and approximately 82% of survivors were classified as sufficiently active (>= 150 min.wk(-1) of MVPA) at 6 wk posttreatment. Decreases in SB and increases in MVPA were independently associated with better HRQoL and less fatigue over time. No associations were found for CIPN complaints. A synergistic interaction was observed between prolonged SB and MVPA in affecting functioning scales. Relative to CRC survivors with low prolonged SB and high MVPA, survivors with high prolonged SB and low MVPA reported a stronger decrease in physical functioning and role functioning over time than expected based on the independent associations of prolonged SB and MVPA. Conclusion: Our longitudinal results show that less SB and more MVPA are beneficial for CRC survivors' HRQoL and fatigue levels. Our findings regarding interaction underscore that joint recommendations to avoid prolonged sitting and accumulate MVPA are important.

Automated summary

The study found that reducing sedentary behavior and increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity are beneficial for the HRQoL and fatigue levels of CRC survivors. However, no associations were found for CIPN complaints. Furthermore, a synergistic interaction was observed between prolonged sedentary behavior and moderate to vigorous physical activity in affecting functioning scales.