"It gave me a sense of achievement and a sense of purpose"-a qualitative study of patient experiences of a virtually supervised exercise program for adults with advanced cancer and cachexia
Details
Publication Year 2024-05-03,Volume 32,Issue #5,Page 325
Journal Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Publication Type
Research article
Abstract
People with advanced cancer and cachexia experience significant body weight loss, adversely impacting physical function and quality of life (QOL). Effective, evidence-based treatments for cancer cachexia are lacking, leaving patients with unmet needs. Exercise holds promise to improve patient QOL. However, information on patients' experiences of exercise, including their ability to cope with structured exercise, is limited. PURPOSE: To explore patient experiences completing a structured, supervised exercise program for people with cachexia due to advanced cancer. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants enrolled in a phase II feasibility, randomized controlled trial to explore their experiences of an 8-week virtually supervised exercise program delivered via videoconference technology. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen participants completed interviews (female n = 9, 53%). Main interview themes included the following: (1) Deciding to exercise involves balancing concerns and expectations, (2) the exercise program is a positive experience, and (3) moving forward after the exercise program. While some participants initially held doubts about their physical capabilities and exercise safety, most wanted to exercise to enhance their wellbeing. Participants described the exercise program as a positive experience, offering diverse benefits. Some would have preferred in-person exercise, but all agreed the virtual format increased convenience. Participants emphasized the need to recommend the program to others in similar circumstances. They underscored the necessity and desire for ongoing support to sustain their new exercise habits. CONCLUSION: Based on patient experiences, virtually supervised exercise programming appears to be feasible and meaningful to people with advanced cancer and cachexia.
Publisher
Springer Nature
Keywords
Humans; *Cachexia/etiology/therapy; Female; *Neoplasms/complications/psychology; Male; Middle Aged; *Exercise Therapy/methods; *Qualitative Research; Aged; *Quality of Life; Adult; Feasibility Studies; Videoconferencing; Interviews as Topic; Aerobic exercise; Cancer cachexia; Metastatic cancer; Patient experiences; Resistance training; Telehealth; Thematic analysis
Department(s)
Health Services Research; EMR Optimisation
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Refer to copyright notice on published article.


Creation Date: 2024-06-27 06:18:32
Last Modified: 2024-06-27 06:47:04

© 2024 The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Access to this website is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙