Exercise during cancer treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exercise during Cancer Treatment: Understanding the exercise preferences of people living with and beyond cancer, aged 16 or over in Lancashire and South Cumbria
IRAS ID
319616
Contact name
Susan Saul
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Cancer prehabilitation (prehab) is becoming increasingly researched and recommended across the country. Some evidence suggests that prehab helps to increase patients personal empowerment, physical and psychological resilience to treatment and improve long-term health. Lancashire and South Cumbria covers a large geographical location and treats cancer patients across four different acute trusts. Treatment options can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery. In order to develop the optimum prehabilitation service for all cancer patients in this area, it is necessary to better understand the needs and wishes of the population. A questionnaire has been developed to gain insight into patients fitness and health at the point of diagnosis as well as their thoughts on how an exercise programme should look. The questionnaire has a QR code which has been placed on a poster/leaflet. These will be displayed at all the cancer centres across Lancashire and South Cumbria, as well as in the local council run leisure centres. It is designed for completion by patients currently being treated for cancer or individuals who have previously had cancer treatment. The results will influence the future design of prehab services within the region as well as providing wider insights into patient prehab preferences.
Summary of Results
: Responses revealed variation by age and baseline activity. For example, 16% of those aged 71+ chose the local hospital, compared with 7% and 3% for the 51-70 and <51 age categories respectively. Those less active at diagnosis (<150 minutes of moderate exercise week) were more interested in hospital settings compared to those that were more active (>150minutes): 10% and 4% respectively.
Older participants (71+) were significantly more likely to want 1:1 sessions (P = 0.015) and showed greater interest in virtual/online classes when compared to 51–70-year-olds (P = 0.045).
Men were significantly more likely to prefer gym settings than women (P = 0.03). Those aged under 51 were three times more likely to want to go to the gym compared to older participants. Our results showed that 50% of those under the age of 51 were members of the gym at diagnosis, compared with 38% of those over the age of 51. Younger participants (< 51) were four times as likely to be interested in outdoor running groups and significantly more likely to favour cycling groups, (P = 0.001).
Participants doing ≥ 150 minutes of exercise per week at diagnosis preferred gym attendance to those less active (P = 0.025). Those over 51 were more likely to achieve ≥150 minutes or more of exercise a week (26.7% v 33.7%). Additionally, those less active at diagnosis preferred cancer-specific exercise groups (34.42% v 18.3%).
Fatigue (n=39) and lack of energy (n=11) were most reported barriers relating to the limitations of living with treatment effects. Other barriers included time constraints, lack of knowledge, transport, limited class availability, and cost.
These barriers also link into the facilitators mentioned by participants, which focused on being provided with information on the importance of exercise, professional advice, encouragement, and emotional support.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0040
Date of REC Opinion
7 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion