Correlation between self-regulatory fatigue and physical activity in lung cancer patients undergoing comprehensive treatment.

[BACKGROUND] Self-regulated fatigue is often assessed in studies of chronic diseases. Research is needed on the self-regulation of fatigue and physical activity in lung cancer patients undergoing treatment, and the impact of these factors on this population.

[OBJECTIVE] The goal of this study is to investigate the current status, influencing factors, and correlation between self-regulatory fatigue and physical activity in lung cancer patients undergoing comprehensive treatment.

[METHODS] We used a convenience sampling method to enroll 188 lung cancer patients admitted to two tertiary hospitals in Chengdu from October 2024 to April 2025. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire and two scales: the Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale (SRF-S) and The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ-L).

[RESULTS] The mean self-regulatory fatigue score was 42.19 ± 9.06. The total metabolic equivalent (MET) of physical activity was 544.00 (0.00, 1386.00) MET-min/week, with leisure-time activity accounting for 429.00 (0.00, 1188.00) MET-min/week (data presented as median and interquartile range). Significant negative correlations were observed between Self-Regulatory Fatigue total scores and energy expenditure from housework, leisure activities, as well as total physical activity expenditure. Furthermore, self-regulatory fatigue was negatively correlated with both moderate-intensity and low-intensity physical activity, but positively correlated with high-intensity physical activity (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified gender, physical activity intensity, and pre-diagnosis exercise habits as significant independent influencing factors of self-regulatory fatigue in these patients (P < 0.05), collectively explaining 30.6% of the total variance (R² = 0.306).

[CONCLUSION] Engaging in appropriate leisure and household activities at moderate-to-low intensity may help alleviate the severity of self-regulatory fatigue in lung cancer patients undergoing comprehensive treatment. Healthcare providers should encourage appropriate activity to reduce the psychological burden and conserve self-regulatory resources.