Grip strength, functional capacity, and quality of life of individuals with cancer

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate strength, functional capacity, and quality of life in individuals with cancer, compared with predicted values of healthy individuals, as well as to determine whether strength and functional capacity predict quality of life in this population. Fifty individuals with cancer were evaluated according to strength (dynamometer Crown), functional capacity (Glittre ADL test) and quality of life (SF-36). Results were compared with predicted reference values for healthy individuals, matched for age and gender, by the two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlations between variables. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate whether strength and functional capacity predict quality of life. There is significant difference (p<0.01) for strength, functional capacity, and quality of life, between individuals with cancer and the predicted in healthy individuals. There was a significant correlation between strength and functional capacity (ρ=-0.58; p<0.01), strength and quality of life (ρ=0.46; p<0.01), and quality of life and functional capacity (ρ=-0.51; p<0.01). Regression analysis showed that functional capacity is a predictor of quality of life and, alone, can explain 20% (R²=0.195) of this variable. Thus, individuals with cancer showed significant decrease in strength, functional capacity, and quality of life, when compared to predicted values. Moreover, all these variables are correlated, mainly functional capacity and quality of life.

Keywords |
Neoplasms; Hand Strength; Exercise; Quality of Life