Physical Activity Level Effect on Cognitive Level And Quality Of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study Investigation Of The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level And Quality Of Life In Patients With Breast Cancer

Purpose To determine the level of physical activity, quality of life and cognitive level in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment and to compare the results with a healthy population of similar age group. Methods Our case-control study was conducted with chemotherapy patients (CG) diagnosed with breast cancer (breast Ca) treated in the Department of Oncology and healthy control group (HCG) with similar demographic characteristics. he participants' physical activity level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), their quality of life using the EORTC-QLQC30 Quality of Life Scale, and their cognitive level using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between groups. A level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In our study in which breast Ca (n = 38, age = 52.96 ± 11.37 years, height = 162.22 ± 6.28cm, weight = 71.07 ± 12.91kg, chemotherapy cycle = 4.33 ± 6.86 cycles) and healthy control group (n = 30, age = 51. 1 ± 12.39 years, height = 161.63 ± 6.33cm, weight = 70.23 ± 12.761kg), the physical activity level was significantly lower in the breast cancer group than in the control group (p < 0.0001, z=-4.101). Similarly, the cognitive level (p < 0.0001, z=-3.258) subscores were significantly lower in the breast ca group compared to the control group. While the overall quality of life score did not differ from healthy controls (p < 0.0001, z=-4.101), the physical, social, emotional, fatigue and vomiting subscores were significantly lower than healthy controls. Conclusion The level of physical activity was found to be lower in patients after breast cancer compared to their healthy counterparts. In addition, levels of social support and role functioning, which indicate quality of life, and disease-specific symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation were different from those in the healthy control group. Therefore, these variables should be taken into account in the exercise programme given to breast cancer patients. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT05275517 Submission Date: 05/09/2023