Exercise experiences in patients with metastatic lung cancer: A qualitative approach

Abstract

Background Patients with metastatic lung cancer can have severe cancer-related symptoms and treatment-induced side effects. Exercise is beneficial for patients with metastatic lung cancer; however, little information is available on guiding patients how to perform exercise during hospitalization. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand exercise experiences in patients with metastatic lung cancer. Methods Patients with metastatic lung cancer (n = 24) participated in face-to-face in-depth interviews at an inpatient ward of a medical center in central Taiwan. Interview transcripts were evaluated using narrative analysis to extract and validate themes. Results Three primary themes were identified: (1) modifying exercise to maximize physical functions; (2) living with symptoms and frustration, but still exercising; and (3) doing exercise to sustain hopes, inner power, and life. Secondary findings included: (1) adopting walking as their main form of exercise because of its convenience; and (2) among patients with severe symptoms, adjusting exercise towards shorter time durations and shorter distances, slower speeds, and higher frequencies. Conclusions The study found physically active lung cancer patients, although with metastatic condition, adjusted their exercise activities to balance disease and treatment-induced deteriorations and boost themselves to feel hope and fight for cancer. However, the results may not be

“I want to get myself as fit as I can and not die just yet” – Perceptions of exercise in people with advanced cancer and cachexia: a qualitative study

“…Multiple participants also discussed the hope for exercise to provide cancer- and treatment-related benefits, including improving cancer treatment effectiveness, alleviating symptoms, and extending survival. Another qualitative study in metastatic lung cancer patients also reported that participants expressed that exercise instilled hope for surviving their cancer [ 31 ]. Further, we found exercise acted as an emotional outlet and opportunity to take one’s mind off their diagnosis.…”

“…Thus, the burden of both an advanced or incurable cancer diagnosis coupled with the experience of living with cachexia may reduce exercise motivation and tolerability relative to other people with cancer. Several qualitative studies report that people with advanced cancer experience complex barriers to exercise, including cancer-specific (e.g., cancer-related fatigue), psychosocial (e.g., low confidence or mood), and environmental factors (e.g., weather) [ 31 – 35 ]. Despite these reported challenges, patients with advanced cancer still express interest in exercise and view exercise positively [ 31 – 34 , 36 ].…”

“…Several qualitative studies report that people with advanced cancer experience complex barriers to exercise, including cancer-specific (e.g., cancer-related fatigue), psychosocial (e.g., low confidence or mood), and environmental factors (e.g., weather) [ 31 – 35 ]. Despite these reported challenges, patients with advanced cancer still express interest in exercise and view exercise positively [ 31 – 34 , 36 ]. To our knowledge, perceptions of exercise in those with advanced disease who have cancer cachexia have not been specifically investigated.…”

Maligner Pleuraerguss: Körperliche Aktivität trägt zu Verbesserung der Lebensqualität bei

“…Viele Patienten adaptieren eine reduzierte Aktivität aufgrund der Luftnot. In der individuellen Situation ist jedoch zuerst zu erfahren, welche Bedeutung körperliche Aktivität für den Patienten hat [3]. Unter Berücksichtigung des Patientenwunsches sollten Maßnahmen, die die Aktivität des Patienten steigern, in das Gesamtkonzept der Behandlung integriert werden.…”

Natural Language Processing for Automated Classification of Qualitative Data From Interviews of Patients With Cancer

“…21 Interview-based studies have provided important insights into the patient journey in cancer, from identifying barriers and facilitators to patient screening, to patient preferences in posttreatment follow-up. [22][23][24] Interviews help gain understanding of patients' perspectives, such as identifying methods to help raise prognostic awareness and the communication needs of patients, 25,26 as well as patients' experiences, for example, with lifestyle interventions, 27 palliative care, 28 and pain management, 29 which may help inform providers and policy makers.…”