An exploration of cancer patients nature-based physical activities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
'Active in Nature' Exploring the health & well-being benefits for people during & after cancer treatment of undertaking recreational activities in nature
IRAS ID
337408
Contact name
Chrissie Lane
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the Highlands and Islands
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
People who have a diagnosis of cancer and undergo various, often lengthy treatments, experience multiple side-effects including fatigue, sickness, anxiety and low mood. We know from other contexts that spending time outdoors in nature can help improve peoples' mental health and overall well-being. Surveys of people living with cancer identify that nature provides them with a coping strategy. Evidence is also strong that undertaking physical activity has many benefits for people who are undergoing cancer treatments or recovering from cancer. These benefits include fewer side effects from cancer treatments, more energy, improved physical functioning, improved confidence, improved mental health, overall better quality of life and longer life.
If being active outdoors in nature can offer an array of therapeutic benefits to this clinical group, what is little understood is how some people manage to engage in outdoor nature-based activities both during & after cancer therapies. Previous research has provided evidence of the benefits of nature-based activities for people with cancer such as dragon boat racing, walking, cycling ebikes & gardening. However, these activities are undertaken as part of an offered research intervention that is being studied. This research seeks to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of those people who can maintain some level of activities in nature during and after their cancer treatments. This may be a new activity or doing activities they enjoyed before they received a cancer diagnosis.
This research therefore will explore peoples’ experiences of engaging with nature through recreational activities during and after treatments to improve their perceived health & well-being. The aim being to understand how this knowledge & theoretical framework could be used to develop nature-based solutions that are informed by people with cancer and have the potential to motivate a wider group of people with cancer to begin or increase their activity levels.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0072
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion