Perceived benefits and barriers to exercise for recently treated patients with multiple myeloma: a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding the physical activity experiences of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is essential to inform the development of evidence-based interventions and to quantify the benefits of physical activity. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the physical activity experiences and perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity for patients with MM.MethodsThis was a qualitative study that used a grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Victoria, Australia by telephone from December 2011-February 2012 with patients who had been treated for MM within the preceding 2–12 months. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using the constant comparison coding method to reduce the data to themes. Gender differences and differences between treatment groups were explored.ResultsTwenty-four interviews were completed. The sample comprised 13 females (54%), with a mean age of 62 years (SD = 8.8). Sixteen (67%) participants had received an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). All participants currently engaged in a range of light to moderate intensity physical activity; walking and gardening were the most common activities. Recovery from the symptoms of MM and side effects of therapy, psychological benefits, social factors and enjoyment were important benefits of physical activity. Barriers to physical activity predominately related to the symptoms of MM and side effects of therapy, including pain, fatigue, and fear of infection. Low self- motivation was also a barrier. Women participated in a more diverse range of physical activities than men and there were gender differences in preferred type of physical activity. Women were more likely to report psychological and social benefits; whereas men reported physical activity as a way to keep busy and self-motivation was a barrier. Patients treated with an ASCT more often reported affective benefits of participation in physical activity and fatigue as a barrier. Patients treated with other therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy) were more likely to report pain as a barrier.ConclusionsPatients with MM experience debilitating effects of their condition and therapy, which influences their level and intensity of physical activity participation. Physical activity programs should be individualised; take into consideration gender differences and the impact of different types of therapy on physical activity; and focus on meeting the psychological, coping and recovery needs of patients.

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

“…In addition, non-physical symptoms emerged, such as improved anxiety and overall mental well-being due to the exercise. These findings are similar to Craike et al (2013), who found that patients with multiple myeloma who participated in physical activity improved physical and psychological health.…”

“…Less than half of the participants were meeting the recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week prior to initiating treatment, which is similar to previous multiple myeloma studies (Craike, Hose, Courneya, Harrison, & Livingston, 2013; Jones et al, 2006). None of the participants had taken part in vigorous activity before their diagnosis, and this may be for a variety of reasons, including not being motivated to exercise, symptoms of leukemia that impeded their ability to exercise, or not having time to exercise.…”

Myeloma patients' experiences of haematopoietic stem cell transplant: A qualitative thematic synthesis

“…Two studies included homogeneous samples of all myeloma patients who had undergone HSCT (Coon and Coleman, 2014 a, b;Dahan and Auerbach, 2006). Two studies included all myeloma patients but not all had undergone HSCT (Craike et al, 2013(Craike et al, , 2016Portora et al, 2010Portora et al, , 2011. The remaining four studies had haematological heterogeneous samples including myeloma patients who had undergone HSCT.…”

Guidelines for screening and management of late and long‐term consequences of myeloma and its treatment

“…Only 20% of myeloma patients meet national physical activity guidelines post-treatment and 7% during active treatment (Jones et al, 2004;Craike et al, 2013). Commonly reported barriers to physical activity are pain, fear of fracture risk, lack of confidence and fatigue (Groeneveldt et al, 2013).…”