School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland.
Macmillan Cancer Support, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Support Care Cancer. 2021 Oct;29(10):6135-6143. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06165-1. Epub 2021 Apr 3.
The recent coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has affected the delivery of routine cancer care and supportive services. The Macmillan Move More Northern Ireland (MMNI) programme provides access to physical activity and behavioural change support before, during and after cancer treatment. This evaluation details the impact of the pandemic on the MMNI participants and identifies methods to adapt service delivery.
A multiple-choice and short answer online survey was sent to 730 MMNI participants, to investigate the impact of the initial, national COVID-19 lockdown. Specifically, the survey examined physical activity patterns, the physical/emotional/social impact of restrictions and attitudes towards digitally supported exercise. Free text responses were analysed thematically with findings verified within the research team.
377 participants completed the survey (52% response rate). 50% of respondents had breast cancer, with 36 other diagnoses registered (82% were female). Participants reported physical activity levels decreased during restrictions, citing isolation; declining health/fitness; lack of access and motivation. The dataset trended towards women and those diagnosed with breast cancer. 71% reported the pandemic impacted their physical (n=119) and/or psychosocial (n=231) wellbeing. Many respondents were availing of digitally supported exercise, whilst half of males did not engage (46%). Finally, 80% of respondents were interested in using a MMNI smart application.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected participant physical activity levels. Supervised classes were the most popular (pre-pandemic), with enforced leisure centre closures prompting this reduction. The pandemic has negatively affected the psychosocial wellbeing (mental health) of participants, compounded by the restrictions imposed on the traditional delivery of MMNI. This impact is felt equally across cancer types. Participants with breast cancer are the most engaged in using digital technology to access exercise. Although underrepresented, men require greater targeting to ensure equality in access to online services.
最近的冠状病毒大流行（COVID-19）影响了常规癌症护理和支持服务的提供。麦克米伦移动北爱尔兰（MMNI）计划在癌症治疗之前、期间和之后提供身体活动和行为改变支持。本评估详细介绍了大流行对 MMNI 参与者的影响，并确定了调整服务提供的方法。
向 730 名 MMNI 参与者发送了一份多项选择题和简答题在线调查，以调查 COVID-19 全国封锁对 MMNI 参与者的影响。具体而言，该调查检查了参与者的身体活动模式、限制对身体/情绪/社交的影响以及对数字支持运动的态度。使用主题分析对自由文本回复进行分析，并在研究团队内部验证研究结果。
377 名参与者完成了调查（52%的回复率）。50%的受访者患有乳腺癌，还有 36 种其他诊断（82%为女性）。参与者报告称，在限制期间，由于隔离、健康/健身下降、缺乏机会和动力，他们的身体活动水平下降。该数据集倾向于女性和诊断出患有乳腺癌的人。71%的人报告说大流行影响了他们的身体（n=119）和/或心理健康（n=231）。许多受访者正在使用数字支持运动，而一半的男性不参与（46%）。最后，80%的受访者有兴趣使用 MMNI 智能应用程序。
COVID-19 大流行影响了参与者的身体活动水平。受监督的课程在大流行前最受欢迎，由于休闲中心被迫关闭，导致这一数字下降。大流行对参与者的心理健康（心理健康）产生了负面影响，传统的 MMNI 交付方式的限制加剧了这种影响。这种影响在各种癌症类型中都存在。患有乳腺癌的参与者最热衷于使用数字技术来获取运动。尽管代表性不足，但男性需要更有针对性的服务，以确保在获取在线服务方面的平等。
