Incidence and Factors Influencing Locomotive Syndrome in Cancer Patients Living in the Community

Background Investigating locomotive syndrome (LS) of cancer survivors in the community will help clarify the importance of rehabilitation for cancer survivors in the community and provide a basis for exploring effective interventions. The primary purpose of this study was to conduct a comparison of LS, fatigue, psychological problems, and physical activity in cancer survivors and those without cancer in the community. The secondary purpose was to analyze factors influencing LS in cancer patients. Methods The study involved 59 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at home and 59 people without cancer. The cancer patients were those undergoing chemotherapy as outpatients and constituted the cancer group. The non-cancer people were living in the community and constituted the non-cancer group. Cancer and non-cancer groups were surveyed and measured for LS, fatigue, psychological problems, and physical activity. The cancer group was also surveyed for the duration of chemotherapy treatment and the presence or absence of bone metastases. Results The cancer group was significantly more likely than the non-cancer group to have LS stage 2, to have fatigue, and to have psychological problems. Fatigue and psychological problems were significantly associated with LS stage 2. Conclusions Cancer patients in the community need to be assessed regularly by healthcare providers and interventions should be made according to their condition.