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Objective Social support is conceptualized and operationalized in many ways, making it challenging to understand what types of support best predict physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. This review examined associations between social support and PA among cancer survivors. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases for studies that reported an association between social support and PA among adult cancer survivors. We conducted an appraisal and a narrative synthesis of the findings from quantitative studies. Results Fifty studies representing 28 366 participants were included. Studies collectively included concepts addressing the presence of relationships, others' PA behavior, perceptions of being supported, and function/quality. Findings were mixed in suggesting a positive or null association with PA. Conclusions While results are not definitive, this review takes a step toward mapping the social support literature in PA for cancer survivors. Limitations include the homogeneity of the participants in extant studies, and the secondary focus on testing the effects of social support on outcomes. Future research systematically testing the effects of social support is important for facilitating PA in this population.

BACKGROUND Patients with head and neck cancer experience loss of weight and muscle mass, decreased functioning, malnutrition, depression, and declines in quality of life during and after treatment. The purpose of this exploratory randomized study was to determine the optimal timing for the initiation of a lifestyle and progressive resistance exercise training intervention (during or after radiation therapy), as determined by intervention adherence and by comparing between-group outcomes across 24 weeks. METHODS Sixty patients with head and neck cancer were randomized to engage in a 12-week lifestyle intervention and progressive resistance-training program either during radiation treatment or immediately after completion. The primary outcome of body composition—specifically, lean body mass, body mass index, and body fat—as well as secondary outcomes of fitness, quality of life, depression, and nutrition status were evaluated. RESULTS The progressive resistance-training intervention carried out during treatment did not significantly influence the primary outcome of body composition, despite a significant increase in weekly physical activity reported by the intervention group. A small-to-medium intervention effect was noted for some secondary outcomes, including fitness, quality of life, and nutrition status. Regardless of whether patients received the immediate or delayed progressive resistance-training intervention, the analysis revealed a main effect of time on body composition, fitness, quality of life, depression, and nutritional scores. CONCLUSIONS Although the intervention during treatment did not reduce the loss of lean body mass, delaying the exercise program until after treatment completion was associated with improved intervention adherence, a finding with important clinical implications. Cancer 2016;122:1185–200. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Keywords: brain cancer; exercise; physical activity; symptom management; cancer; oncology

Background Increasing rates of survival present a new set of psychosocial and physical challenges for children undergoing treatment for cancer. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to be a safe and effective strategy to mitigate the significant burden of cancer and its treatments, with yoga increasingly gaining recognition as a gentle alternative. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and benefits of a 12-week community-based yoga intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQL), select physical fitness outcomes and PA levels (PAL). Procedure Eight pediatric cancer out-patients (4 male; 4 female; Mage = 11.88, SD = 4.26) participated in the 12-week intervention consisting of supervised yoga sessions 2 times/week. Participants (patients and parent proxies) completed measures assessing HRQL, physical fitness and PAL at baseline and post-intervention. Results Rates of recruitment, retention, attendance and adverse events indicated the program was feasible. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests indicated significant improvements for patient (P = 0.02) and parent reported HRQL (P = 0.03), functional mobility (P = 0.01), hamstring flexibility (left, P = 0.01 and right P = 0.02), and total PAL (P = 0.02) pre to post intervention. Conclusion This 12-week community-based yoga intervention was feasible and provides preliminary evidence for the benefits of yoga on HRQL, physical fitness and PAL in pediatric cancer out-patients. In a population where sedentary behavior and the associated co-morbidities are a growing concern, these results promote the continued exploration of yoga programming. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1828–1834. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The purpose of the current study was to prospectively examine the relationship between physical activity patterns and psychosocial predictors in a sample of individuals with fibromyalgia (FM). Individuals with FM (N= 61) tracked their physical activity over a 1 -month period and completed baseline and endpoint questionnaires. Self-efficacy provided the framework for the investigation, with both self-efficacy and intention examined as predictors of physical activity. Exploratory analyses examined the addition of attitude and social influence as predictors of intention and behavior. The results supported the importance of self-efficacy as a direct prospective predictor of the physical activity of FM individuals. Future research should examine whether maintaining strong intentions is helpful or realistic in motivating physical activity as a treatment option for individuals with FM.

Functional Synergy Inc., CanadaSUMMARYBackground: Physical activity provides a number of physical and psychological benefits to cancer survivors,including lessening the impact of detrimental cancer-related symptoms and treatment side-effects (e.g. fatigue,nausea), and improving overall well-being and quality of life. The purpose of the present pilot study was to examinethe physical and psychological benefits afforded by a 7-week yoga program for cancer survivors.Method: Eligible participants (per-screened with PAR-Q/PAR-MED-X) were randomly assigned to either theintervention ðn ¼ 20Þ or control group ðn ¼ 18Þ. All participants completed pre- and post-testing assessmentsimmediately before and after the yoga program, respectively.Results: The yoga program participants (M age ¼ 51:18 (10.33); 92% female) included primarily breast cancersurvivors, on average 55.95 (54.39) months post-diagnosis. Significant differences between the intervention and thecontrol group at post-intervention were seen only in psychosocial (i.e. global quality of life, emotional function, anddiarrhea) variables (all p’s 50.05). There were also trends for group differences, in the hypothesized directions, forthe psychosocial variables of emotional irritability, gastrointestinal symptoms, cognitive disorganization, mooddisturbance, tension, depression, and confusion (all p’s 50.10). Finally, there were also significant improvements inboth the program participants and the controls from pre- to post-intervention on a number of physical fitnessvariables.Conclusions: These initial findings suggest that yoga has significant potential and should be further explored as abeneficial physical activity option for cancer survivors. Future research might attempt to include a broader range ofparticipants (e.g. other types of cancer diagnoses, male subjects), a larger sample size, and a longer program durationin an RCT. Copyright # 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.KEY WORDS

Physical activity is increasingly being promoted as a means to achieve both physical and psychological benefits for cancer survivors. For women with breast cancer, one sport growing in popularity is dragon boating. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the psychosocial correlates of dragon boat participation over the course of a season. Six crews completed the baseline (early-season) assessment (n = 109) and late-season assessments (n = 56). The self-report questionnaire completed at both time points included an assessment of the theory of planned behaviour variables, quality of life, cohesion, and physical activity levels. A prospective examination of the TPB variables revealed attitude at early season as the only significant predictor of behavioural intentions 12 weeks later at late season (R2 adjusted = 0.27, p < 0.001). Overall, the group environment was cohesive at a level similar to that for female sport teams among the asymptomatic population. As well, participants' health-related quality of life was similar to normal, healthy women of similar age for both mental and physical health.

The present investigation examined the relationship between self-presentational motives and physical activity in a population of cosmetic surgery participants. Participants were 50 female and 5 male cosmetic surgery patients (CSPs; M age = 38.5 years) who completed a battery of self-report measures following either vein or acne treatment. Analyses revealed significant group differences on self-presentational concern and public self-consciousness between: (a) those who elected the treatment for appearance motives and those who elected treatment for health-based motives, and (b) the more frequent (3 or more times per week) and less frequent (2 or less times per week) exercisers. Greater self-presentational concerns and greater public self-consciousness were associated with having appearance-related motives for treatment and with being a less frequent exerciser.

Objective To determine whether individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) who are more physically active differ in various psychosocial characteristics (i.e., self-efficacy, health-related quality of life [HRQL]) from those who are less active, and whether those who function better on a daily basis also differ in these characteristics from their less able counterparts. Methods The predominantly female sample (n = 86) consisted of individuals medically diagnosed with FM. Measures included symptom variables, physical activity frequency and intensity, daily functioning, HRQL, efficacy for physical activity, FM pain, and other FM symptoms. Results Discriminant function analyses to predict physical activity status (P < 0.0001) and functional ability status (P = 0.03) were significant. The variables of physical activity efficacy, pain efficacy, and the physical HRQL component were the best predictors. Conclusion Support for the importance of perceived control and HRQL for engaging in higher levels of physical activity and daily functioning was demonstrated. Future research must continue to examine psychosocial factors that affect patients' functioning with FM in order to enhance their well-being.