Barriers and enablers to participation in physical activity among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers, with low survival rates and a high disease burden. Despite the known benefits, most women reduce their participation in physical activity following diagnosis. Little is known about ovarian cancer survivors' experiences of physical activity. The primary aim of this study was to explore the barriers and enablers to participation in physical activity among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A qualitative descriptive study design was conducted via semi-structured interviews with nine women diagnosed with ovarian cancer (stages I-IV; 40-77 years). The interviews took place at the participant's home via telephone or online video conferencing software Coviu©. An inductive thematic approach was used. The organization and coding of data were completed using NVivo computer software (Version 12.6.0, QSR International Pty Ltd.). Weekly discussions occurred among the research team to ensure that themes accurately represented participant views. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) 32-item checklist were followed. The main barriers to physical activity participation that emerged were (i) the lack of referral to an exercise professional within the multidisciplinary cancer team, (ii) fear of injury after surgery and during treatment, and (iii) treatment-related side effects. However, many of the participants perceived benefits of physical activity related to (i) enhanced physical and psychological health, (ii) improved cancer outcomes, and (iii) social benefits as key enablers of physical activity participation. Physical activity interventions for women with ovarian cancer should address the modifiable barriers identified in this study. A key focus should be to streamline timely referral pathways within the multidisciplinary team, including exercise professionals, dietitians, psychologists, and specialists nurses following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Further research and service development are needed to optimize supported self-management through (i) education about the importance of physical activity to both healthcare professionals and women alike, (ii) enhanced symptom management for women, which was identified as a barrier to participation, and (iii) the development of shared care plans and patient center goals to address any fears or concerns. People diagnosed with ovarian cancer have low participation levels of physical activity. Cancer care professionals' support could increase physical activity uptake and reduce some of the burden of an ovarian cancer diagnosis

Exercise adherence in men with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer treatment is associated with adverse physiological changes; however, exercise can improve outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine exercise intervention adherence and its effects on physiological outcomes in men diagnosed with prostate cancer undergoing ADT. Uniquely, this review incorporated a meta-aggregation of qualitative data, providing perspectives from the men’s experiences. A systematic review and meta-analysis were completed following PRISMA guidelines. Databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed) were searched for studies using "prostate cancer", "exercise intervention", and "androgen deprivation therapy". Quantitative randomised controlled trials describing adherence to exercise interventions were selected, with qualitative articles selected based on descriptions of experiences around participation. Subgroup meta-analyses of adherence, exercise mode, and intervention duration were completed for quality of life, aerobic fitness, fatigue, and strength. In total, 644 articles were identified, with 29 (n = 23 quantitative; n = 6 qualitative) articles from 25 studies included. Exercise had no effects (p 12-weeks

Clinical updates on the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise in people diagnosed with cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study is to provide an updated critical evaluation on the effectiveness of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on health outcomes among cancer survivors. A systematic search was conducted using databases CINAHL and Medline (via EBSCOhost platform), Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Randomised, controlled, exercise trials involving cancer survivors were eligible. Data on the effects of HIIT among individuals diagnosed with cancer at any stage were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated to compare differences between exercise and usual care. Meta-analyses (including subgroup analyses) were undertaken on the primary outcome of interest, which was aerobic fitness. Secondary outcomes were fatigue, quality of life, physical function, muscle strength, pain, anxiety, depression, upper-body strength, lower-body strength, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Thirty-five trials from forty-seven publications were included, with intervention durations ranging between four to 18 weeks. Breast cancer participants were represented in the highest number of trials (n=13, 37%). Significant effects in favour of HIIT exercise for improving aerobic fitness, quality of life, pain and diastolic blood pressure were observed (SMD range: 0.25–0.58, all p<0.01). Participation in HIIT exercise was associated with higher retention and improvements in aerobic fitness, quality of life, pain and diastolic blood pressure. The present results provide updated contemporary evidence for clinicians (e.g., exercise physiologists and physiotherapists) to prescribe HIIT exercise for cancer survivors to improve health before, during and following treatment

Improving physical and mental health in patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: strategies to promote and improve physical activity quality and quantity.

Objective: Prostate cancer continues to be one of the highest-incident cancers among men. Reducing serum testosterone with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common effective treatment. While well-demonstrated for cancer suppression, there are numerous adverse effects caused by ADT that can contribute to short- and long-term prognosis. Increased levels of physical activity (PA) during treatment may reduce these side effects. However, uptake of PA is low. The purpose of this review is to identify and evaluate the current literature on strategies to promote and increase the levels of PA in patients with prostate cancer undergoing ADT. Data Sources: Electronic databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus, and grey literature were searched using Google Scholar up until April 2020. Conclusion: At present the most appropriate modes and dosages of PA for specific ADT toxicities is not known. It is established that some PA in the form of exercise, whether aerobic or resistance, is better than being sedentary for improvements in physical health, but beyond this prescription specifics have not been established. Further research is required to understand the impact of PA on the mental and physical health of men with prostate cancer undergoing ADT. Implications for Nursing Practice: Being physically active and avoiding sedentary behaviour is important for men with prostate cancer undergoing ADT, especially the implementation of strength training. PA in the form of exercise can assist in reducing the adverse physical side effects in the short- and long-term, with limited understanding of the effects on mental health. PA improves mental health outcomes across populations, which may also translate to men with prostate cancer, although further research is required. An important strategy to improve PA within the prostate cancer population is to provide an early referral to an exercise professional, such as an accredited exercise physiologist/clinical exercise physiologist or physical therapist/physiotherapist, and is supported by research as best practice for people affected by cancer undergoing active treatment

A systematic review of multimodal prehabilitation in breast cancer.

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women. Prehabilitation may offer improvements in physical and psychological wellbeing among participants prior to treatment. This systematic review aimed to determine the efficacy of prehabilitation in participants diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines. Studies exploring the impact of prehabilitation in participants with breast cancer were included. Studies were assessed independently according to pre-eligibility criteria, with data extraction and methodological quality assessed in parallel. Results: 3184 records were identified according to our search criteria, and 14 articles were included. Articles comprised of quantitative randomised controlled trials (n = 7), quantitative non-randomised studies (n = 5), a qualitative study (n = 1), and a mixed-method study (n = 1). The majority of selected studies completed exercise programs (n = 4) or had exercise components (n = 2), with two focusing on upper-limb exercise. Five articles reported complementary and alternative therapies (n = 5). Two articles reported smoking cessation (n = 2), with a single study reporting multi-modal prehabilitation (n = 1). Mostly, prehabilitation improved outcomes including physical function, quality of life, and psychosocial variables (P < 0.05). The qualitative data identified preferences for multimodal prehabilitation, compared to unimodal with an interest in receiving support for longer. Conclusions: Prehabilitation for patients with breast cancer is an emerging research area that appears to improve outcomes, however, ensuring that adequate intervention timeframes, follow-up, and population groups should be considered for future investigations. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The implementation of prehabilitation interventions for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer should be utilised by multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic care to patients as it has the potential to improve outcomes across the cancer care trajectory

The Experiences and Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Partners of Men Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

Partners of men diagnosed with prostate cancer face their own emotional struggles as they navigate additional caregiver responsibilities while concurrently adjusting to the diagnosis and coping with greater illness uncertainty for their loved one. This qualitative systematic review examined the unmet supportive care needs of partners affected by prostate cancer. A meta-aggregation was conducted. Four electronic databases were searched using key words. The methodology followed the Joanna Briggs Institute for qualitative evidence synthesis. The review process followed a registered priori review protocol and was reported using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted in parallel. Twenty-one publications were included. A total of 239 findings and 32 categories were synthesized into 7 domains of unmet needs as experienced by partners. The domains of needs expressed by the participants included interpersonal/intimacy, physical/daily living, healthcare service, family-related, psychological/emotional needs, and spiritual and social needs. There are gaps in clinical service support, despite routine clinical consultation with healthcare professionals. Partners may diminish their social networks to protect their husband at the cost to their own self-preservation and well-being. Cancer organizations, policy makers, healthcare care professionals, and researchers are slowly making progress to acknowledge the unique support needs of partners affected by cancer. Healthcare professionals should encourage partners to be included in models of prehabilitation to access timely support to address informational, intimacy, spiritual, and daily living needs support

The Feasibility of Exercise Interventions Delivered via Telehealth for People Affected by Cancer: A Rapid Review of the Literature

Background:- The prevalence of exercise as an adjunct therapy to cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery is growing rapidly and has been shown to improve health outcomes, treatment completion rates, and quality of life in people affected by cancer. Given the complexity of delivering cancer services during coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many people who are undergoing cancer treatment are unable to access exercise services. This review aims to investigate: (1) the feasibility of exercise telehealth interventions for individuals diagnosed with cancer; and (2) the impact of exercise telehealth interventions for people affected by cancer on physical and psychosocial outcomes. Methods/Data Sources:- The literature search was conducted in four electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, Medline, and Psych Info) from January 1, 2010 until May 1, 2020. All peer-reviewed qualitative and quantitative studies were included irrespective of study design. Studies that investigated adults (aged ≥18 years) with a diagnosis of any cancer, irrespective of treatment type, cancer stage or primary/secondary nature of disease were included. Results:- Twenty-nine studies (a total of 3698 participants across the included studies) were synthesized. Across the included studies the interventions were broadly classified into four main areas of telehealth: web-based, mobile applications, SMS messaging, and telephone interventions. Conclusion:- Participants across the studies showed good compliance, symptom relief and reported an overall positive experience using telehealth for exercise. There were no adverse events reported in these studies. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, more research is required to assess the feasibility of telehealth platforms such as Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or FaceTime, and to determine the overall participant and exercise professional telehealth exercise delivery experience. Implications for Nursing Practice:- Telehealth uses telecommunications technology as a tool to deliver health care to populations with limited access to cancer care. Quality care of a person living with cancer requires multidisciplinary team-based care and telecommunications technology can support interprofessional care. This review has underscored that telecommunications is a critical tool in the delivery of cancer care to enable timely ongoing support for exercise interventions for those affected by cancer. It remains important for people affected by cancer to continue to engage in and maintain regular exercise under the guidance of qualified health professionals in keeping with evidence-based clinical guidelines

Boni mores and consent for child research in South Africa

Consent is required for almost all health research. In order for consent to be valid a number of requirements must be met including that the consent cannot be contra bonos mores or contrary to public policy. This principle has its roots in the common law and it is used to ensure that the consent to harm, or the risk of harm, is permitted or ought to be permitted by the legal order. Recently, it has also become a statutory requirement embedded in the consent obligations relating to non-therapeutic health research with minors. Section 71 of the National Health Act provides that the Minister of Health (or potentially his or her delegated authority) must provide consent to non-therapeutic research with minors. However, such consent may not be granted if ‘the reasons for the consent to the research or experimentation are contrary to public policy’. Limited work has been done on how to determine when consent to health research with children would be contrary to public policy. This article attempts to begin the debate by describing the boni mores principle, setting out some of the general factors that could be used to assess whether consent is consistent with it and suggesting how they could be applied to health research. The article concludes by stating that simply requiring proxy consent for non-therapeutic health research with children is insufficient as it cannot always be assumed that proxy consenters will act in the best interests of the child. Thus the boni mores principle acts as a limit on autonomy in order to protect the child participant. It is further submitted that establishing when consent to health research is consistent with public policy requires an assessment of whether the research is consistent with constitutional values, prevailing legal norms regarding children, and an assessment of the legal convictions of the community.Â