Support systems for mixed-site recovering cancer patients to sustain physical activity: a qualitative study

Abstract

Rationale, aims and objectives: Uptake and adherence to physical activity (PA) programmes for recovering cancer patients remain low with only 20% of patients meeting the UK guidelines of 150 minutes a week. The aim of our study was to examine the support systems that enabled a group of cancer patients to sustain PA for 6 months.Method: Fourteen mixed site cancer patients aged 43-70 (11 women, 3 men) participated in a 2-phase PA intervention that took place at a University in the South West of England, UK. The intervention consisted of an 8-week structured exercise programme and a 4-month period of independent PA. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect the data and a grounded theory approach was used for the analysis.Results: We found that different types of support were required for each stage of the intervention. Internal support was necessary while undertaking a structured PA programme. External support was necessary to sustain PA to 4-month follow-up. The two aspects of internal support were identified that enabled the patients to adhere to the programme; support from exercise professionals and peer support from patients on the programme. External support that enabled the patients to sustain independent PA to 4-month follow-up was support from close partners or from a spouse.Conclusions: Our study has provided valuable insight into internal support systems that enable recovering mixed-site cancer patients to adhere to a structured PA programme and external support from close relationships to sustain independent PA for an additional 4 months.

The impact of physical activity for recovering cancer patients

“…The following data analysis techniques were applied to the 3 studies by Queen et al [5,7,8]. The memoranda that emerged from the 3 previous coding processes were used as the method for generating grounded theory in this study.…”

“…The first author advanced theoretical development through selective coding and the application of the axial coding paradigm. For details, see Queen et al, [5,7,8], the fourth author assisted by reviewing this process [27]. Memoranda were used to explore the different dimensions of the emergent themes from the axial coded data and the first author reviewed this process.…”

“…By their nature, physical activity interventions that use qualitative methodologies to collect and analyse patient data for chronic disease such as cancer, fit well with the person-centered healthcare approach to health promotion [24]. Placing patients at the centre of the research and using their experiences to inform, improve and develop services further, not only serves to reduce the financial burden of chronic disease to the NHS, but has also been shown to have a positive impact on patient recovery [5,7,8,26]. Miles & Asbridge [24] have identified the importance of the person-centered healthcare approach in enabling individual clinicians, clinical teams and healthcare systems to assist and accompany patients and their families along their chronic illness trajectories.…”

“…Physical activity is beneficial for cancer survivors health [1][2][3][4][5][6] enabling wide-reaching benefits during and after cancer treatment [5,7,8]. Despite these known benefits physical activity levels across the UK remain low with only 4000 (20%) out of a total of 2 million cancer survivors meeting the minimum recommended physical activity guidelines for sustaining an independent and disability-free lifestyle [9].…”

“…The socio-ecological model of health as developed by Dahlgren & Whitehead [25] places the patient at the centre of the healthcare process and builds systems around them to promote their health and wellbeing. This model has been used effectively to promote the health and wellbeing of chronic disease patients through the medium of physical activity generally and specifically for recovering cancer patients [5,7,8,26]. Therefore, the intention of this paper is to further examine the findings from 3 published studies [5,7,8] in order to draw out a series of key themes and ideas that might be used to inform and enhance the recovery process for cancer patients engaging with a physical activity intervention.…”