Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' Exercise Preferences and Barriers Before and After Participation in an Exercise Intervention
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the exercise preferences and barriers of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors in relation to exercise experience. Methodology: Participants from the ENHANCE trial (n=22) completed questionnaires on exercise preferences and barriers, which were further explored in semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants (n=17). Results: Before participation in the ENHANCE program, lack of interest and time were the primary exercise barriers. After participation, there was a significant decrease in typical barriers including lack of interest (p=.008)), exercise not a priority (p=.039), and not in routine (p=.004). Participants also reported significant increases in preferences for engaging in exercise at a cancer centre (p=.031), and with other survivors (p=.016). Four higher-order themes emerged from interview data analysis pertaining to preferences (exercise types, company, supervision, and logistics), and three higher-order themes regarding barriers (physical, psychological and external). Significance: The results identify key factors for effective HNC exercise program design.
Description
Keywords
Oncology, Psychology--Behavioral
Citation
Jackson, C. (2016). Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' Exercise Preferences and Barriers Before and After Participation in an Exercise Intervention (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26341