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    Imaging, QoL and Patient-Reported Outcome and Supportive Care

    Category: Imaging, QoL and Patient-Reported Outcome and Supportive Care

    Physical Activity Patterns, Barriers, and Motivators in Multiple Myeloma and Precursor Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

    (PA-125) Physical Activity Patterns, Barriers, and Motivators in Multiple Myeloma and Precursor Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

    Wednesday, September 17, 2025
    Introduction: While exercise improves physical and emotional outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), little is known about actual activity levels and perceived barriers in this population and those with precursor conditions such as smoldering MM (SMM) or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Identifying these gaps is crucial for tailoring supportive interventions and improving patient-reported outcomes in MM care.

    Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, IRB-approved survey of adult patients (≥18 years) with self-reported MM or precursor disease diagnoses, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and custom barrier/motivator Likert items. Patients were categorized by total weekly metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes, low (< 600 MET-minutes/week), moderate (600–2,999 MET-minutes/week) and high (≥3,000 MET-minutes/week). Barriers and motivators were assessed using 5-point Likert scales. Quantitative differences across groups were tested using chi-square or nonparametric comparisons.

    Results:

    Of 883 respondents, 432 (49%) reported high activity levels, 273 (31%) moderate, and 178 (20%) low. 490 respondents self-reported their diagnosis, MM 434 (89%), SMM 41 (8%), and MGUS 15 (3%). Among MM patients (n=434), only 52 (12%) met or exceeded recommended physical activity levels (≥600 MET-min/week), compared to 25/56 (45%) of SMM and MGUS patients combined (p< 0.001). The median MET-min/week for vigorous activity in the high group was 1,920 (Q1–Q3: 720–3,600), moderate activity 1,290 (480–2,520), and walking 1,386 (594–2,772). Mean sitting time was 5.7 ± 3.6 hr/day across all respondents, with MM patients sitting longer than precursor counterparts (p< 0.05). The most endorsed barriers to exercise among all patients included lack of energy (n=412, 58%), lack of motivation (n=347, 49%), and illness-related limitations (n=328, 46%). Among MM patients, 273 (63%) reported fatigue as a key barrier compared to 35 (46%) of precursor patients (p=0.01). Only 9 (1%) reported that their physician advised against exercise. Top motivators included improving physical health (n=386, 58%) and mental health (n=319, 48%). Among highly active respondents (n=432), 237 (73%) strongly agreed that they exercised for physical health benefits, compared to 26 (22%) of those in the low activity group (n=178).

    Conclusions:

    This large cohort analysis reveals that most MM patients do not meet recommended physical activity levels, primarily due to fatigue and lack of motivation. In contrast, patients with precursor conditions reported higher activity levels and fewer limitations. These findings emphasize the need for MM-specific supportive interventions, including fatigue-adapted regimens and counseling, to address both perceived and actual limitations. Our data support integrating physical activity promotion into MM care pathways and provide a foundation for future interventional studies.