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The Relationship between Cognitive Stimulating Activities, Physical Activity and Cognitive Impairment in Women following Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Hall, Carrie A

Abstract Details

2014, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Nursing: Nursing - Doctoral Program.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women in the United States. Currently, there are over two and a half million female breast cancer survivors in the US. While dramatic increases in the five year survival rate are noted with the efforts of mammography and innovations in treatment modalities, there are unanticipated late effects extending well into the survivorship phase. Of these late effects, cognitive impairment is of significant concern. Individuals with injury or disease to the brain, including traumatic brain injuries and Alzheimer’s disease, who engage in higher levels of physical and cognitive activities, experience significantly less cognitive impairment. However, no studies exist examining the influence of physical activity (PA) and cognitive stimulating activities (CSA) on cognitive impairment (CI) in breast cancer survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PA, CSA and cognitive impairment CI in female breast cancer survivors following adjuvant chemotherapy. Four hundred and fifty women from the BCRGC were invited to participate in the study. One hundred and fifty four predominantly Caucasian female breast cancer survivors, aged 40-69 (M = 55 SD = 8.90), completed and returned the questionnaires via a pre-postage paid return packet. Findings indicated a significant negative correlation between PA, CSA and CI after controlling for age, ethnicity, chemotherapy regimen and number or cycles (r = 0.133, p = 0.001; r = 0.233, p = 0.003). Physically inactive participants reported greater cognitive impairment than physically active participants (p = 0.025). The findings support the proposition derived from the Enabling-Disabling Process Model, which states lifestyle/behavioral factors act as moderators between pathology and subsequent impairment. Future research needs to include prospective studies evaluating the relationships between PA, CSA, and CI in breast cancer survivors.
Beverly Reigle, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Elaine Miller, Ph.D.R.N. (Committee Member)
Elizabeth Shaughnessy, M.D. Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jun Ying, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
132 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hall, C. A. (2014). The Relationship between Cognitive Stimulating Activities, Physical Activity and Cognitive Impairment in Women following Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416231472

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hall, Carrie. The Relationship between Cognitive Stimulating Activities, Physical Activity and Cognitive Impairment in Women following Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. 2014. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416231472.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hall, Carrie. "The Relationship between Cognitive Stimulating Activities, Physical Activity and Cognitive Impairment in Women following Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416231472

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)