Endometrial Cancer Survivors have Better Workout Routine with Higher a Level of Self-Efficacy

A recent study shows that confidence builds better exercise habits for cancer patients, a critical part of the recovery process.

Endometrial cancer survivors are more likely to complete physical activity, and for longer durations, when their daily self-efficacy is higher, according to a study published online in the journal Health Psychology-a publication of the American Psychology Assocation.

"Sedentary behavior is associated with increased cancer risk, including endometrial cancer," said Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Behavioral Science at MD Anderson and lead investigator on the study.

"When cancer survivors exercise, it not only improves their physical functioning and psychological well-being, but also reduces their risk of developing other types of cancer or other chronic diseases."

The study, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute, collected information from 100 endometrial cancer survivors to measure a patient's belief in his or her ability to complete tasks and reach goals during exercise.

Additionally, researchers conducted routine laboratory cardiorespiratory fitness assessments of the participants. Researchers studied the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise behaviors over six months.

To measure self-efficacy, researchers focused on two different methods-- studying participants carrying hand-held computers, or confidence, in completing recommended exercise, both recording their exercise amount through computers. They also completed questionnaires every two months to measure self-efficacy.

Each participant received a personalized exercise recommendation based on guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine. They were also given printed materials, a pedometer and access to telephone counseling to help them increase their exercise habits.

Important findings of the study suggest that the higher self-efficacy will help with exercise duration.

For every one point increase in self-efficacy, participants increased their exercise routine by six minutes.

Given that exercise is an important aspect of cancer survivorship and endometrial cancer patients are often overweight or obese and physically inactive, Basen-Engquist recommends any exercise, or increase in exercise, would benefit cancer patients and survivors.

"Our observations make a unique contribution to research by revealing a sense of how the self-efficacy-behavior relationship works outside the laboratory," said Basen-Engquist. "Our next step will be to determine if we can provide messages to cancer survivors in real time, using methods like email or smart phone applications, to increase their self-efficacy and encourage them to exercise more."