Physical activity participation during chemotherapy for women affected by breast cancer

Chemotherapy is associated with multiple side effects, including fatigue, decreased cardiovascular fitness, and emotional distress. Research suggests that physical activity may mitigate these side effects, improve overall well-being, and quality of life. However, the tools available to measure physical activity lack validity impeding the identification of barriers and facilitators to physical activity. Research is needed to identify a tool to measure physical activity and pinpoint barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation to engage women toward higher levels of physical activity during chemotherapy. This dissertation consists of three studies and the purposes were to validate the Activities Completed over Time in 24 Hours (ACT24) instrument and evaluate participant use and acceptability of the ACT24, determine what predicts physical activity participation in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, and explore how the women navigate physical activity participation during chemotherapy. The first methodological study indicated that the ACT24 has good criterion validity with the activPAL across all three physical activity participation indices (metabolic equivalent of task hours per day, active time, and sedentary time). Despite the good validity, participants reported that the ACT24 was difficult to use and time consuming. The second cross-sectional study investigated six predictors (fatigue, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, body mass index, prior physical activity level, and participation in rehabilitation services) for physical activity participation during chemotherapy. Results indicated that none of the predictors explored were significant predictors of physical activity levels during chemotherapy. The final study utilized thematic analysis to explore the experience of physical activity participation during chemotherapy. The overarching theme was, “it’s adjusting the mindset,” supported by four themes: “definitely a change in perspective,” “the price to pay,” “trying to retain a sense of who I am,” and “making a conscious choice about each thing.” Together, the themes provided an in-depth explanation of navigating physical activity participation during chemotherapy. This dissertation identified the ACT24 as a valid measure of physical activity but the tool was not well-received in women undergoing chemotherapy. Although predictors of physical activity participation were not identified, the qualitative findings provided valuable insight into how the women perceived physical activity during chemotherapy.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Therapy

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Bertram, Jessica

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Goh, Hui-Ting

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Trudelle-Jackson, Elaine

• Physical activity measurement tools
• Barriers and facilitators to physical activity
• Shared experience with physical activity
• Breast cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Physical activity

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/17123

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/17123