Developing a Home-Based Exercise Program in Breast Cancer Patients: A Focus Group Discussion

Abstract

Background: Exercise is a major non-pharmacological intervention to improve quality of life in breast cancer patients. Given the enhanced utilization of exercise programs worldwide and lack of proper guidelines for breast cancer exercise programs in Iran, a group of different experts gathered to draw an exercise framework in these populations Methods: This is a qualitative study using a focus group discussion method. Eight participants with different expertise were gathered. We had a moderator and two assistant moderators. Results: After analyzing, two challenging themes emerged: (1) conducting different types of exercise as home-based, and (2) pre-participation assessments. We had seven subthemes for the first theme, which in turn were divided into three categories: aerobic exercises, resistance training, and exercise intensity monitoring. Also we extracted two subthemes for pre-participation assessments. Conclusions: Based on opinion of different experts who are involved in breast cancer care process, conducting different types of exercise as home-based, and pre-participation assessment should be considered.