Exploring the experience of adhering to a prescribed pre-surgical exercise program for patients with advanced rectal cancer: A phenomenological study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.09.005Get rights and content

Highlights

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    Exercise prior to surgery is viewed as feasible by some patients with advanced rectal cancer.

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    The meaning of adhering to a pre-surgical exercise program is holistic and multidimensional.

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    Mechanisms that underpin continued participation in pre-surgical exercise are contextual and may change over time.

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of patients with advanced rectal cancer as they attempted to adhere to a prescribed, hospital-based pre-surgical exercise program.

Design/Methods

Ten patients took part in three semi-structured in-depth interviews prior to (week 0), midway (week 3), and at completion (week 6) of the exercise program. Data were analysed using a phenomenological approach.

Results

Main themes that were deemed important for remaining enrolled in the program included: (1) building camaraderie and peer support, (2) experiencing a sense of structure and control, and (3) feeling safe and encouraged. Patients also reported engaging in further exercise outside the program and feeling motivated to continue exercising in the future.

Conclusions

This study shows the potential to integrate exercise prior to surgery as it was viewed as acceptable and feasible by patients with advanced rectal cancer. Moreover, it provides much needed information into the possible mechanisms that underpin patient's continued participation in exercise programs during treatment for advanced rectal cancer. Prescribed, hospital-based program should be implemented to promote opportunities for exercise and provide on-going supportive care options for patients awaiting surgery.

Section snippets

Methods

The present study was guided by the principles of a hermeneutic phenomenological approach (van Manen, 1990), which assists researchers in uncovering the essence of the phenomenon under investigation. The use of a phenomenological approach that focused on in-depth descriptions of patients' subjective experiences in the context of advanced cancer was appropriate in this study to understand the multi-dimensional meanings patients ascribed to their participation in a pre-surgical exercise program.

Results

The following section is organized under five separate but interconnected themes (see Table 1) that illustrate the meanings that the patients attributed to their participation in the program including: (1) building camaraderie and peer support; (2) feeling safe and encouraged, (3) experiencing a sense of structure and control, (4) engaging in more exercise outside the program, and (5) feeling motivated to continue exercising in the future. Quotes are provided below to represent patient's lived

Discussion

This phenomenological study helped to provide an account of the lived experience of patients with advanced rectal cancer involved in a prescribed, hospital-based pre-surgical exercise program. The experience of adhering to the program allowed patients to: (1) build camaraderie and peer support; (2) experience a sense of structure and control, and; (3) feel safe and encouraged. In turn, ongoing participation in the program encouraged them to engage in more exercise outside the program and feel

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