Aim: Lung cancer is a type of cancer that is usually diagnosed late and has a low life expectancy due to its incidence, high mortality, and initial asymptomatic course. Sleep disorders and related fatigue are common complaints for cancer patients. This study aims to examine sleep quality according to physical activity levels in individuals with lung cancer.

Methods: This study was carried out between December 2021 and March 2022. Individuals diagnosed with lung cancer in Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Faculty of Medicine Chest Diseases Outpatient Clinic were retrospectively analyzed. 100 individuals were included in the study. Individuals diagnosed with lung cancer in the chest diseases department of a tertiary care center were retrospectively analyzed. Physical activity level with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; sleep quality with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index; dyspnea with Modified Medical Research Council Scale; performance status with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; functional disability with Karnofsky Performance Status; Pain was evaluated with a numerical rating scale.

Results: 52.0% of the individuals included in the study were sedentary. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of mean age (p=0.123), body mass index (p=0.157), disease duration (p=0.342), and length of hospital stay (p=0.273). There was a difference between the two groups in terms of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (p=0.001), Karnofsky Performance Status (p=0.001), and total score of Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (p=0.001).

Conclusion: In our study, it was found that the total sleep quality score of the physically active group was better than the sedentary group. Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle behavior with positive physiological and psychological health consequences and a potential non-pharmacological intervention for poor sleep quality.

Keywords: Sleep quality, physical activity, activities of daily living, performance status, functional status