Exercise During The Cancer Continuum: Patients' Knowledge And Perceived Barriers

Abstract

PURPOSE: Exercise therapy programs are increasingly incorporated into oncological clinics, but it is largely unknown if this facilitates information availability or patients’ exercise readiness. This survey compares the knowledge and barriers regarding exercise in cancer patients treated in an oncological clinic with an established exercise therapy and counseling program versus an oncological clinic without any exercise offers. METHODS: Participants were recruited in an oncological outpatient clinic that provides an exercise therapy and counseling program (OC+Ex) and an oncological outpatient clinic without any exercise offers (OC). Information status concerning cancer diagnosis, treatment, exercise, and exercise-related barriers were assessed with an extended version of the EORTC QLQ-INFO-25 questionnaire and the Perceived Physical Activity Barriers (PPAB) scale. Results were compared using contingency tables and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Out of 215 patients 200 returned the questionnaire (OC+Ex: n = 109; 64±13 yrs.; 85% during treatment; OC: n = 91; 60±11 yrs.; 96% during treatment). A comparable proportion of the patients of the OC+Ex and the OC felt moderately to well informed concerning cancer treatment (90% vs. 88%) and side effects (81% vs. 79%). Regarding exercise 31% vs. 15% and 23% vs. 29% of the patients in the OC+Ex versus the OC reported a high or moderate information status, while 18% (OC+Ex) or 27% (OC) stated to not have received any information (p < .05). Patients in the OC+Ex documented receiving specific exercise recommendations more often than patients in the OC (41% vs. 16%; p < .001), 25% (OC+Ex) or 3% (OC) reported a direct referral to a concrete exercise course/program (p < .001). 53% (OC+Ex) and 60% (OC) asked for more information about exercise. Perceived exercise barriers included fatigue (39%), physical weakness (31%), nausea (24%), pain/discomfort (23%), and lack of exercise routine (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that an exercise program at an oncological clinic supports patients’ knowledge about exercise. Further targeted triage and information activities including a stronger collaboration between oncologists and exercise specialists might contribute to further enhance patients’ knowledge, to diminish perceived barriers and to improve exercise behavior.