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Lesser IA, Wurz A, Bean C, Culos-Reed N, Lear SA, Jung M. Participant Bias in Community-Based Physical Activity Research: A Consistent Limitation? J Phys Act Health 2024; 21:109-112. [PMID: 37935192 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity is a beneficial, yet complex, health behavior. To ensure more people experience the benefits of physical activity, we develop and test interventions to promote physical activity and its associated benefits. Nevertheless, we continue to see certain groups of people who choose not to, or are unable to, take part in research, resulting in "recruitment bias." In fact, we (and others) are seemingly missing large segments of people and are doing little to promote physical activity research to equity-deserving populations. So, how can we better address recruitment bias in the physical activity research we conduct? Based on our experience, we have identified 5 broad, interrelated, and applicable strategies to enhance recruitment and engagement within physical activity interventions: (1) gain trust, (2) increase community support and participation, (3) consider alternative approaches and designs, (4) rethink recruitment strategies, and (5) incentivize participants. While we recognize there is still a long way to go, and there are broader community and societal issues underlying recruitment to research, we hope this commentary prompts researchers to consider what they can do to try to address the ever-present limitation of "recruitment bias" and support greater participation among equity-deserving groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris A Lesser
- School of Kinesiology, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Wurz
- School of Kinesiology, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Corliss Bean
- Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Culos-Reed
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Scott A Lear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mary Jung
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Duchek D, McDonough MH, Bridel W, McNeely ML, Culos-Reed SN. Understanding In-Person and Online Exercise Oncology Programme Delivery: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Participant Perspectives. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:7366-7383. [PMID: 37623015 PMCID: PMC10453684 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30080534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) is an exercise oncology programme that transitioned from in-person to online delivery during COVID-19. The purpose of this work was to understand participants' experiences in both delivery modes. Specifically, survivors' exercise facilitators and barriers, delivery mode preference, and experience with programme elements targeting behaviour change were gathered. A retrospective cohort design using explanatory sequential mixed methods was used. Briefly, 57 participants completed a survey, and 19 subsequent, optional interviews were conducted. Most participants indicated preferring in-person programmes (58%), followed by online (32%), and no preference (10%). There were significantly fewer barriers to (i.e., commute time) (p < 0.01), but also fewer facilitators of (i.e., social support) (p < 0.01), exercising using the online programme. Four themes were generated from the qualitative data surrounding participant experiences in both delivery modes. Key differences in barriers and facilitators highlighted a more convenient experience online relative to a more socially supportive environment in-person. For future work that includes solely online delivery, focusing on building social support and a sense of community will be critical to optimising programme benefits. Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, results of this research will remain relevant as we aim to increase the reach of online exercise oncology programming to more underserved populations of individuals living with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaney Duchek
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (W.B.); (S.N.C.-R.)
| | - Meghan H. McDonough
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (W.B.); (S.N.C.-R.)
| | - William Bridel
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (W.B.); (S.N.C.-R.)
| | - Margaret L. McNeely
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada;
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
- Supportive Care, Cancer Care Alberta, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
| | - S. Nicole Culos-Reed
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (W.B.); (S.N.C.-R.)
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Cancer Care, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2, Canada
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Capozzi LC, Daun JT, Francis GJ, de Guzman Wilding M, Urgoiti GR, Langelier D, Culos-Reed N. Feasibility and Implementation of an Oncology Rehabilitation Triage Clinic: Assessing Rehabilitation, Exercise Need, and Triage Pathways within the Alberta Cancer Exercise-Neuro-Oncology Study. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:6220-6245. [PMID: 37504321 PMCID: PMC10377964 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30070461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals living with and beyond cancer face physical impairment and inactivity in survivorship. Neuro-oncology populations have especially high rates of sedentary behaviour and functional deficits, including impaired balance, motor skills, and cognition. Our purpose was to assess the rehabilitation and exercise needs of patients with brain tumours while examining the feasibility of a rehabilitation triage clinic as a part of the Alberta Cancer Exercise-Neuro-Oncology study, where patients were referred to a triage clinic, where health, neurologic, and functional status was assessed, followed by a referral to one or multiple resources, including exercise, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or physiatry. Qualitative perception of the triage clinic was collected. Overall, the triage clinic was feasible and safe for participants, facilitating referral into rehabilitation and exercise resources. Pre-determined enrollment and attendance rates were met, but referral rates to the triage clinic were not met. Oncology clinic staff reported forgetting to refer patients or uncertainty of who was appropriate for rehabilitation as barriers. Oncology clinic-based screening may improve the identification of patients who are sedentary or have a physical impairment. A proposed screening tool, the Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Screening Tool (CREST), is presented within our Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Pathways Model. The CREST can identify patients who are sedentary or have a functional impairment, facilitating referral to appropriate rehabilitation resources and ultimately improving patient recovery and functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Capozzi
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Julia T Daun
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - George J Francis
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Marie de Guzman Wilding
- Supportive Care: Psychosocial and Rehabilitation Oncology, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3C3, Canada
| | - Gloria Roldan Urgoiti
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - David Langelier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Supportive Care, Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Nicole Culos-Reed
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Supportive Care: Psychosocial and Rehabilitation Oncology, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3C3, Canada
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Wagoner CW, Dreger J, Keats MR, Santa Mina D, McNeely ML, Cuthbert C, Capozzi LC, Francis GJ, Trinh L, Sibley D, Langley J, Chiekwe J, Ester M, Foucaut AM, Culos-Reed SN. First-Year Implementation of the EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) Study: Building Networks to Support Rural and Remote Community Access to Exercise Oncology Resources. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031930. [PMID: 36767296 PMCID: PMC9915392 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Barriers to exercise-oncology programs remain for those living with and beyond cancer in rural and remote communities, including geographic isolation and access to programs. The EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) study was designed to support exercise-oncology implementation in rural and remote communities across Canada. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the first-year reach, adoption, and implementation of the EXCEL study. Reach outcomes included participant characteristics, study enrolment, and referral type (self vs. healthcare-provider [HCP] referral). Adoption outcomes included the number of clinical contacts, trained qualified exercise professionals (QEPs), and QEPs delivering EXCEL exercise classes. Implementation outcomes included retention, adherence, assessment completion rates, and adverse-event reporting. A total of 290 individuals living with cancer enrolled in EXCEL in year one, with an 81.4% retention to the study intervention. Most participants self-referred to EXCEL (75.8%). EXCEL's HCP network consisted of 163 clinical contacts, and the QEP network included 45 trained QEPs, 22 of whom delivered EXCEL classes. Adherence to the exercise intervention was 78.2%, and only one adverse event (mild) was reported. Fitness assessment and patient-reported outcome completion rates were above 85% pre- and post-intervention. EXCEL has developed HCP and QEP networks supporting exercise referral and online delivery, and the intervention is meeting feasibility markers. These implementation findings will inform the continued gathering of feedback across stakeholders to ensure that best evidence informs best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad W. Wagoner
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Julianna Dreger
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Melanie R. Keats
- School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9, Canada
| | - Daniel Santa Mina
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2W6, Canada
| | - Margaret L. McNeely
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
- Supportive Care Services, Cancer Care Alberta, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
| | - Colleen Cuthbert
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - Lauren C. Capozzi
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - George J. Francis
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Linda Trinh
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2W6, Canada
| | - Daniel Sibley
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2W6, Canada
| | - Jodi Langley
- School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Joy Chiekwe
- School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Manuel Ester
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Aude-Marie Foucaut
- Health Educations and Promotion Laboratory, UR 3412, University Sorbonne Paris North, F-93000 Bobigny, France
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Röttgering JG, Belgers V, De Witt Hamer PC, Knoop H, Douw L, Klein M. Toward unraveling the correlates of fatigue in glioma. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac169. [PMID: 36425844 PMCID: PMC9680534 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though fatigue is one of the most prevalent and burdensome symptoms in patients with glioma, its etiology and determinants are still poorly understood. We aimed to identify which demographic, tumor- and treatment-related characteristics and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are associated with or are predictors of fatigue in glioma. METHODS In this retrospective observational study, we included glioma patients with preoperative and postoperative assessments including PROMs on fatigue, depression, cognitive functioning, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Linear mixed models were used to identify which clinical factors and PROMs were associated with fatigue and linear multiple regression was used to detect predictors of postoperative fatigue. RESULTS In this study, 222 patients were included (78% grade II-III glioma, 22% grade IV). These patients had performed 333 assessments (193 preoperative and 116 one year postoperatively). Of all assessments, 39% was indicative of severe fatigue. Several HRQoL domains, depression, and right-sided tumors were significantly associated with fatigue (marginal R 2 = 0.63). Contrary to common expectations, tumor type, treatment-related factors, and timing of the assessment, were not associated with fatigue. In a subgroup of 70 patients with follow-up assessments, preoperative fatigue, and physical functioning were predictors of postoperative fatigue (adjusted R 2 = 0.31). CONCLUSION Fatigue is a complex symptom, which should not solely be attributed to the tumor or its treatment, but is instead related to different aspects of mood and HRQoL. These insights are important in understanding fatigue and could guide symptom management, especially in patients with lower-grade tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jantine G Röttgering
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Medical Psychology, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Brain Tumor Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vera Belgers
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Brain Tumor Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Neurology, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philip C De Witt Hamer
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Brain Tumor Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Neurosurgery, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Medical Psychology, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Psychology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Douw
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Brain Tumor Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Anatomy and Neurosciences, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Klein
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Medical Psychology, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Brain Tumor Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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