Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Cancer Control, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Support Care Cancer. 2024 May 3;32(5):325. doi: 10.1007/s00520-024-08526-y.
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.
To explore patient experiences completing a structured, supervised exercise program for people with cachexia due to advanced cancer.
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.
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.
Based on patient experiences, virtually supervised exercise programming appears to be feasible and meaningful to people with advanced cancer and cachexia.
患有晚期癌症和恶病质的人会经历明显的体重下降，这对身体功能和生活质量（QOL）产生不利影响。目前缺乏针对癌症恶病质的有效循证治疗方法，导致患者的需求未得到满足。运动有望改善患者的 QOL。然而，关于患者运动体验的信息，包括他们应对结构化运动的能力，是有限的。
探讨患者在完成针对晚期癌症恶病质患者的结构化监督运动计划方面的体验。
对参加一项针对通过视频会议技术提供的 8 周虚拟监督运动计划的 II 期可行性、随机对照试验的参与者进行半结构化访谈，以探讨他们的体验。使用反思性主题分析对访谈进行分析。
17 名参与者完成了访谈（女性 n=9，53%）。主要访谈主题包括：（1）决定运动涉及平衡顾虑和期望，（2）运动计划是一次积极的体验，（3）运动计划结束后继续前进。虽然一些参与者最初对自己的身体能力和运动安全性持怀疑态度，但大多数人都希望通过运动来增强幸福感。参与者描述该运动计划是一次积极的体验，提供了多种益处。一些人更希望进行面对面的运动，但所有人都同意虚拟形式增加了便利性。参与者强调需要向类似情况下的其他人推荐该计划。他们强调需要持续支持来维持新的运动习惯的必要性和愿望。
基于患者的经验，虚拟监督运动计划对患有晚期癌症和恶病质的患者似乎是可行且有意义的。
