[Exercise on prescription: a systematic review and socio-ecological perspectives]

[Barriers and facilitators to physical activity in oncology in Seine-Saint-Denis: A qualitative study using the socio-ecological approach]

INTRODUCTION

Despite the undeniable benefits of physical activity during and beyond cancer treatments, patients do not always undertake and/or maintain it. The aim of the study is to identify, describe and understand the barriers and facilitators of physical activity practice among adults arriving at the end of treatment for solid cancer, in precarious situations, living in Seine-Saint-Denis.

METHODS

The study was conducted using a descriptive qualitative phenomenological method involving semi-directed interviews with 23 participants during and beyond cancer.

RESULTS

Multiple-level factors (micro, meso, macro) are involved in active behavior of patients. Three main facilitators were identified: perceived benefit, social support, and urban planning. Three barriers are identified: (1) physical and psychological disorders whether or not related to cancer and its treatment, (2) precariousness, organizational constraints, unfavorable social environment, (3) lack of coordination, lack of accurate and appropriate information, lack of realistic referral to physical activity offers.

DISCUSSION

A diversity of representations, combinations of factors, and experiences are described. Getting people with cancer to engage in and maintain long-term physical activity is a complex task, requiring multidisciplinary action on all socio-ecological factors.

Capitalization of experience of physical activity resumption programs: Lessons learned for adherence and post-program referral

The benefits of physical activity (PA) in managing chronic diseases are largely demonstrated. To encourage a sustainable PA practice for inactive patients with chronic diseases, France has recently implemented PA resumption programs, in which patients can participate with a medical prescription but which are time-limited. In the literature, the effectiveness of those exercise referral schemes to foster sustainable PA practice is still mixed. The present study aims at capitalizing the experience of eight resumption programs to understand what makes the programs work, adherence mechanisms and the post-program referral scheme. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews informed those intervention mechanisms analysed using thematic analysis. This study provides insights into expertize in patient management among these programs, currently due to key findings as the employment of adapted PA teachers, their training and the use of mechanisms for program adherence (practice conditions, emphasize progress and feelings generated by exercise, the relational and social aspect of practice). Other key findings are a lack of clarity in program objectives which is an area of improvement, and a broad diversity of referral (transmitting contact details, contacting the club, intervention of a third-party association or physical presence) that need further exploration.

PERSISTE: a mixed methods protocol to identify barriers and levers to a sustainable physical activity practice among patients with chronic disease after physical activity resumption programs

Physical activity (PA) has evidence-based benefits for physical, social and mental health, but investigation of how PA interventions for patients with chronic disease affects their PA practice up to 1 year after programmes are rare. Moreover, few studies document how the context and intervention mechanisms of PA programmes affect sustainable PA practice and its determinants. The present protocol describes a mixed methods study comparing the effectiveness and conditions for the effectiveness of two PA resumption programmes (a hospital-led and a community-based programme). Using a comparative longitudinal study, 60 patients (3-month duration) will be followed for 1 year though four data collections: before (T0) and at the end (T1) of the intervention, 6 months (T2) and 1 year (T3) after the start of the programme. The primary outcome will be PA practice in min/week and categorised as light, moderate or vigorous (using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)), and secondary outcomes will include sedentary time in min/week (IPAQ), quality of life evaluated though the physical and mental composite scores ('Medical Outcome Study Short Form 12'), and enjoyment using four statements rated from 1 to 5, a high score being synonymous of enjoyment (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory). Qualitative data on further determinants of PA practice and intervention mechanisms will be collected. The expected results will offer the opportunity to understand how the intervention context contributes to a more effective, sustainable PA practice. Trial registration number: NCT04954209.

Sport sur ordonnance : de la prescription à l’engagement des bénéficiaires atteints d’une maladie chronique

INTRODUCTION

From campaigns encouraging people to “exercise more” to the medical prescription of physical activities, the tools of the new “health-sport” action are gradually progressing in France, with a view to prevent long-term medical conditions. Consequently, in the framework of the patient’s therapeutic education, physical and sport activity is an essential part of the treatment of numerous chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

In 2012, Strasbourg was the first French city to experiment with such mechanism, financed and organized by local authorities and entitled Sport-santé sur ordonnance (SSO) (prescription health-sport). However, the prescription given by the physician does not warrant the actual practice of any physical or sport activity, or the patients’ lasting commitment to regularly practice such activity.

RESULTS

Based on a qualitative survey conducted among patients involved in the SSO mechanism, this article discusses the ways one enters into this program, actual practices, meaning of the beneficiaries’ involvement in or withdrawal from the program and/or their pursuit of a physical activity. The article cross-references the nature of practices, the period of participation and a number of social factors.

CONCLUSION

Associated with precarious social conditions, chronic diseases are a driver of vulnerability with regards to individual trajectories driving patients away from physical activity. This way, the prescribed activity may paradoxically constitute some kind of “resource” providing access to an otherwise socially unplanned activity. The regular practice of a physical activity prescribed to previously non-active patients may represent a change in the individual trajectories of socially disadvantaged populations.