Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is related to improved subjective memory in breast cancer survivors who often complain about memory problems.
Physical activity can improve subjective memory in breast cancer survivors as it alleviates stress and benefits women psychologically. A surprising finding by Northwestern Medicine study is that memory problems appear to be related to the high stress load cancer survivors experience, and may not be specific to chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
‘Breast cancer survivors can involve themselves in moderate and vigorous physical activity such as brisk walking, biking, jogging or an exercise class to improve their subjective memory.’
"Our research suggests these self-reported memory problems may be emotionally related," said lead author Siobhan Phillips, assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "These women are frightened, stressed, fatigued, tapped out emotionally and have low self-confidence, which can be very mentally taxing and can lead to perceived memory problems." The study was published in the journal Psycho-Oncology.Phillips also is a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
In the study, more physical activity was associated with higher levels of self-confidence, lower distress and less fatigue, which in turn is associated with lower levels of perceived memory impairment.
"We found moderate to vigorous physical activity actually benefits women psychologically and that, in turn, helps their memory," Phillips said.
Breast cancer survivors who had higher levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity -brisk walking, biking, jogging or an exercise class - had fewer subjective memory problems. Subjective memory is an individual's perception of her memory.
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