Sedentary time transitions and associations with quality of life in cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Patterns in sedentary time (SED) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to 1) compare total and domain-specific SED before and during the pandemic; and 2) examine its association with QoL in a global sample of cancer survivors.

METHODS: In an online survey, cancer survivors retrospectively self-reported domain-specific SED (e.g. transportation, television) before and during the pandemic via the Domain-Specific Sitting Time Questionnaire. QoL was assessed via the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-General and FACT-Fatigue. Paired t -tests compared daily SED before and during the pandemic. Analysis of covariance compared QoL among: those who remained high (>8 h/day), remained low (<8 h/day), increased (<8 h/day to >8 h/day), or decreased (>8 h/day to <8 h/day) daily SED.

RESULTS: Among cancer survivors ( N  = 477, Mage =48.5 ± 15.4), 60.8% reported that their SED remained high, 19.7% remained low, 7.5% increased SED, and 11.9% decreased SED. Computer and television screen time significantly increased ( p's <.001), while SED during transportation significantly decreased ( p <.001). Sub-group analyses revealed that those who reduced SED who were normal or underweight ( p =.042) or were meeting physical activity guidelines ( p =.031) had significantly less fatigue than those who increased or remained high in SED, respectively. Those who remained high in SED with <3 comorbidities ( p's =.005) had significantly better social well-being than those who increased SED.

CONCLUSIONS: As we transition to a post-pandemic era, behavioral strategies for cancer survivors should focus on reducing screen time to improve QoL and fatigue.