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Accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary time among colon cancer survivors: associations with psychological health outcomes

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine associations of objectively assessed moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time with psychological health outcomes including depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and overall satisfaction with life in colon cancer survivors.

Methods

Colon cancer survivors (N = 180) from Alberta, Canada (n = 91), and Western Australia (n = 89) completed a mailed survey that assessed depression symptom severity, state anxiety, and satisfaction with life (SWL). Sedentary time and MVPA were assessed using the Actigraph® GT3X+ accelerometer (60-s epochs) via a 7-day monitoring protocol. MVPA and sedentary time were corrected for wear time and then examined as quartiles (Q). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine associations of MVPA and sedentary time with psychological health.

Results

There was a significant association between psychological health outcomes and objectively assessed MVPA [Wilks’ λ = 0.886, F(3382.2) = 2.156, p = 0.024] that suggested a small and significant association between MVPA and SWL (p = 0.032). A significant multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) [Wilks’ λ = 0.945, F(3159) = 3.1, p = 0.028] suggested participants meeting guidelines reported significantly fewer anxiety symptoms (M diff = −1.23, p = 0.027) and higher perceptions of SWL (M diff = 3.0, p = 0.008). No significant associations emerged for sedentary time [Wilks’ λ = 0.956, F(9382.3) = 0.788, p = 0.628].

Conclusions

Contrary to previously published research using self-reports, objectively assessed MVPA and sedentary time were not associated with depression symptoms. Objectively assessed MVPA was associated with SWL and anxiety outcomes in colon cancer survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Colon cancer survivors should continue to engage in regular and sustained MVPA for the accrual of psychological health benefits.

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Acknowledgments

Jeff Vallance and Kerry Courneya are supported by the Canada Research Chairs program. Jeff Vallance is also supported by a Population Health Investigator Award from Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions. Brigid Lynch is supported by a NHMRC Public Health Training Fellowship (#586727) and the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program. We would like to acknowledge Parneet Sethi and Dr. Elisabeth Winkler for their assistance in data processing and analyses.

Conflict of interest

Drs. Jeff Vallance, Terry Boyle, Kerry Courneya, and Brigid Lynch declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, AB, Athabasca, T9S 3A3, Canada

    Jeff K. Vallance

  2. Epidemiology Group, Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Terry Boyle

  3. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Kerry S. Courneya

  4. Physical Activity Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia

    Brigid M. Lynch

  5. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Brigid M. Lynch

Authors
  1. Jeff K. Vallance
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  2. Terry Boyle
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  3. Kerry S. Courneya
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  4. Brigid M. Lynch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeff K. Vallance.

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Vallance, J.K., Boyle, T., Courneya, K.S. et al. Accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary time among colon cancer survivors: associations with psychological health outcomes. J Cancer Surviv 9, 404–411 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0409-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0409-8

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