Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer
Published on: February 20, 2020
Associations between objectively measured physical activity and quality of life in cancer patients with brain
Sonya S Lowe1, Brita Danielson2, Crystal Beaumont1
1Department of Symptom Control and Palliative Care, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Context:
Physical activity has demonstrated benefits for quality of life (QoL) and cancer-related fatigue earlier in the cancer trajectory; however, less is known regarding its role in patients with end-stage cancer.
Objectives:
The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured physical activity and QoL in cancer patients with brain metastases.
Methods:
Patients diagnosed with brain metastases, aged 18 years or older, cognitively intact, and with Palliative Performance Scale scores greater than 30%, were recruited from a multidisciplinary brain metastases clinic. A cross-sectional survey interview assessed self-reported QoL (McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire), self-reported physical function (Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument), and symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System). Participants wore activPAL™ (PAL Technologies, Ltd., Glasgow, UK) accelerometers recording triaxial movement for seven days during palliative whole brain radiotherapy.
Results:
A total of 31 patients were recruited. Median survival was 171 days from time of study consent, with 90% (28 of 31) of deaths by two year follow-up. Participants who stood for 1.6 hours or more per day had better QoL (mean=1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.1 to 1.9; P=0.034). Participants who stood for 1.6 hours or more per day had better QoL (mean=1.0; 95% CI=0.1 to 1.9; P=0.034). Participants who sat or were supine for 20.7 hours or more per day had better advanced lower extremity functioning (mean=-6.1; 95% CI=-11.9 to -0.3; P=0.040) and total functioning (mean=-10.6; 95% CI=-21.1 to -0.04; P=0.049), but worse depression (mean=2.1; 95% CI=0.3 to 3.9; P=0.028), anxiety (mean=2.8; 95% CI=0.7 to 5.0; P=0.012), and feeling of well-being (mean=1.9; 95% CI=0.2 to 3.6; P=0.028).
Conclusion:
Sedentary behavior appears to be associated with better physical functioning but worse psychosocial functioning in cancer patients with brain metastases.
