Exercise Level and Its Related Factors in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Comorbid Diabetes Mellitus undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To investigate the status quo of exercise management as well as its related factors among patients with colorectal cancer comorbid diabetes mellitus to provide reference for clinical exercise intervention programs. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 124 patients with colorectal cancer comorbid diabetes mellitus who were undergoing chemotherapy in Shanghai from December, 2022 to April, 2023, was undertaken. A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the exercise management and its related factors, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the potential related factors. Results: The mean amount of exercise per week was 3.70±3.50 MET-h/week. The stepwise regression results revealed that exercise level was positively correlated with motor function (r = 0.305, p = 0.001), self-efficacy (r = 0.582, p = 0.000), social support (r = 0.434, p = 0.000), and health behavior change techniques (r = 0.419, p = 0.000). Conclusion: The patients with colorectal cancer comorbid diabetes mellitus have a low level of exercise, and the level of exercise can be increased by improving their self-efficacy, increasing their social support, and reducing the adverse reactions of chemotherapy.