A Qualitative Study of Cancer Survivors' Experienced Outcomes of a Multidimensional Rehabilitation Program in Primary Healthcare

Community-Based Multidimensional Cancer Rehabilitation in Norway: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Cancer survival is often accompanied by late effects that can be mitigated by tailored rehabilitation. In Norway, this has traditionally been offered as residential programs, whereas community-based cancer rehabilitation programs are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed community-based multidimensional cancer rehabilitation program in Norway.

METHODS

A feasibility study with a mixed methods explanatory sequential design was implemented. The intervention was a 12-week group-based rehabilitation program comprising 5 components: goal setting, physical exercise, psychoeducation, individual follow-up consultations, and peer support. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, retention, and intervention delivery. Acceptability was assessed through intervention adherence and participant evaluation. Qualitative data were generated from focus group interviews. Statistical analyses were descriptive, and qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed using framework analyses.

RESULTS

Sixty participants started, and 55 completed the 12-week rehabilitation program. The majority were female (80%), and the mean age was 56 years. The largest diagnostic group was breast cancer (42%). Retention was high (92%), as were adherence rates for all intervention components. The exercise component was rated the most beneficial, followed by individual consultations and peer support. Qualitative findings contributed to explaining the high adherence and positive evaluation.

CONCLUSION

High retention, strong adherence, and positive evaluation imply that the community-based program was feasible and acceptable to cancer survivors.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

The results will aid intervention refinement and contribute to a future randomized controlled trial to examine its effectiveness. If successful, the rehabilitation program could be implemented in the Norwegian Cancer Pathway "Home."

Breast Cancer Patients’ Experiences with Online Group-Based Physical Exercise in a COVID-19 Context: A Focus Group Study

In patients with breast cancer, physical exercise reduces the toxicity of treatment; however, this physical exercise must meet a set of criteria, such as being guided by knowledgeable instructors. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of female breast cancer patients regarding the impact of an online physical exercise programme in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nineteen female breast cancer patients participated in four focus group interviews as part of a qualitative study using a thematic analysis between December 2020 and May 2021. Three major themes emerged: “Experiences and perceptions of online physical exercise with breast cancer”; “Incorporating exercise-based activity for cancer-related side effects”; and “Increasing self-esteem and empowerment”. Online, live-streamed, and supervised group activities help breast cancer patients engage and prevent the recurrence of cancer-related side effects, as well as to control COVID-19-related fear and provide an alternative to promote mental health-related quality of life.