Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Exercise for Recently Treated Adults With Acute Leukemia

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives To explore perceived exercise benefits and barriers in adults with acute leukemia who recently completed an inpatient exercise intervention during induction therapy. Research Approach Descriptive, exploratory design using semistructured interviews. Setting Inpatient hematology/oncology unit at North Carolina Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill. Participants 6 adults with acute leukemia aged 35–67 years. Methodologic Approach Content analyses of semistructured interviews that were conducted with each participant prior to hospital discharge. Findings Most participants were not meeting the recommended physical activity levels of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week before their diagnosis. Patients were highly pleased with the exercise intervention and the overall program. Common barriers to exercise were anxiety and aches and pains. Interpretation Overall, participants experienced physical and psychological benefits with the exercise intervention with no adverse events from exercising regularly during induction chemotherapy. Referrals for cancer rehabilitation management will lead to prolonged recovery benefits. Implications for Nursing Findings inform the nurses’ role in encouraging and supporting adults with acute leukemia to exercise and be physically active during their hospitalization. Nurses should also be responsible for assisting patients with physical function activities to increase mobility and enhance overall health-related quality of life.

Unmet supportive care needs and its relation to quality of life among adult acute leukaemia patients in China: a cross-sectional study

“…AL develops rapidly and can cause several clinical symptoms, including fever, fatigue, anaemia, bleeding, and infection [5]. Chemotherapy, as an effective treatment, can improve the overall survival rate of patients with AL [6]. However, the side effects of chemotherapy leads to patients with significant physical and psychological challenges, which affects their quality of life (QoL) [7].…”

Research agenda for life-threatening cancer

“…A qualitative study of patients with acute leukaemia who completed an exercise intervention during inpatient treatment found that most participants were not meeting the recommendations for physical activity of 150 min per week prior to their diagnosis, and were overall positive about the exercise intervention though barriers for participation included anxiety, aches and pains (Leak Bryant et al, ).…”

“…A meta-analysis of the efficacy of exercise interventions (n = 9) in patients with acute leukaemia found beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and functional mobility; however no significant improvements in fatigue, anxiety, depression or quality of life (Zhou et al, 2016). A qualitative study of patients with acute leukaemia who completed an exercise intervention during inpatient treatment found that most participants were not meeting the recommendations for physical activity of 150 min per week prior to their diagnosis, and were overall positive about the exercise intervention though barriers for participation included anxiety, aches and pains (Leak Bryant et al, 2017).…”

Unmet supportive care needs and its relation to quality of life among adult acute leukaemia patients in China: a cross-sectional study

“…AL develops rapidly and can cause several clinical symptoms, including fever, fatigue, anaemia, bleeding, and infection [5]. Chemotherapy, as an effective treatment, can improve the overall survival rate of patients with AL [6]. However, the side effects of chemotherapy leads to patients with signi cant physical and psychological challenges, which affects their quality of life (QoL) [7].…”