Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to examine the level of physical activities at time points of pre-illness and current treatment, and the differences in body mass index (BMI), anxiety, depression and fatigue according to their physical activity in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
METHODS
The survey was used with 126 cancer patients undergoing daily chemotherapy at injection room, cancer clinic of C University Hospital in G city. Data were collected from June to September, 2009 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square, Fisher's exact test and t-test using SPSS/WIN15.0.
RESULTS
The significant increase in physical activity was reported from pre-illness to the time in treatment (chi2=69.027, p<.001). The anxiety level of the group with increased physical activity was significantly lower than those who did not (t=-2.218, p =.028). There were no significant differences in BMI, depression, and fatigue according to physical activity.
CONCLUSION
The level of physical activity was significantly associated with the anxiety level of the cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer patients should been encouraged regular physical activity during chemotherapy treatment. And an appropriative nursing intervention should be established in order to motivate cancer patients to increase physical activity.