Exercise in head and neck cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Perceived barriers to physical exercise in head and neck cancer patients during different stages of treatment and recovery: a mixed methods approach to defining the problem.
IRAS ID
189555
Contact name
Simon N Rogers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aintree Universirty Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Exercise is important for recovery following cancer. The evidence is mainly from breast cancer patients. There is a paucity of evidence in head and neck cancer (HNC). Patients with HNC have an average age of around 65 years, come from more socially deprived backgrounds, have lifestyles that predispose them to HNC and also comorbidity (cardiorespiratory), and can have side-effects of radical surgery and chemoradiotherapy, e.g. disfigurement, breathing difficulties, dry mouth, fatigue. These factors could lead to a reluctance to adopt an exercise programme aimed at promoting well being and better recovery. Hence the aim of this project is to investigate patient perceived barriers to engaging in physical activity, establish what percentage of HNC patients would be interested in participating in an exercise-based cancer rehabilitation programme, and what type of exercise would be preferable for those interested in participating: which patients, what type of exercise programme (type, exercise intensity, duration, and frequency). The study has mixed methods and uses a postal survey (quantitative) and an invitation to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview (qualitative). The survey will be to disease HNC survivors treated with curative intent at the Regional Centre between 2010 and 2014 (approximately 800 patients). The qualitative aspect will comprise 50 patients.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0902
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion