Abstract
Introduction. Increasingly physical activity (PA) is being recognized as an important outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated PA using novel global positioning system (GPS) tracking individuals with NSCLC and a group of similar-aged healthy individuals. Methods. A prospective cross-sectional multicenter study. Fifty individuals with NSCLC from 3 Australian tertiary hospitals and 35 similar-aged healthy individuals without cancer were included. Individuals with NSCLC were assessed pretreatment. Primary measures were triaxial accelerometery (steps/day) and GPS tracking (outdoor PA behavior). Secondary measures were questionnaires assessing depression, motivation to exercise, and environmental barriers to PA. Between-group comparisons were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results. Individuals with NSCLC engaged in significantly less PA than similar-aged healthy individuals (mean difference 2363 steps/day, P =.007) and had higher levels of depression (P =.027) and lower motivation to exercise (P =.001). Daily outdoor walking time (P =.874) and distance travelled away from home (P =.883) were not different between groups. Individuals with NSCLC spent less time outdoors in their local neighborhood area (P <.001). A greater number of steps per day was seen in patients who were less depressed (r =.39) or had better access to nonresidential destinations such as shopping centers (r =.25). Conclusion. Global positioning system tracking appears to be a feasible methodology for adult cancer patients and holds promise for use in future studies investigating PA and or lifestyle behaviors. © The Author(s) 2014.
