Exploring the Perceived Barriers and Benefits of Physical Activity Among Wounded, Injured, and/or Sick Military Veterans

Wounded, injured, and/or sick (WIS) military veterans face significant physical and psychosocial challenges following discharge from service. Physical activity can have many positive effects on the holistic wellbeing of such individuals. However, little knowledge exists regarding the perceived barriers and benefits of physical activity within this population, creating challenges surrounding physical activity promotion. Therefore, this study was designed to identify key barriers and benefits among this population, so that informed approaches to encourage participation in physical activity can be developed. A questionnaire related to the perceived barriers and benefits of physical activity was completed by 105 WIS British military veterans. Participants were predominantly male, physically active, served in the British Army, and described their injury as frequently impacting their daily living. Factor analysis revealed that poor mental health, negative beliefs about physical activity, and low beliefs about physical capability were prominent barriers represented in the data. However, only veterans’ beliefs about their physical capability were related to physical activity levels and differed between active and insufficiently active participants. Beliefs identified as benefits of physical activity that correlated with physical activity levels were improved mental and physical health, a sense of purpose, and increased physical fitness. Subsequently, barriers and benefits were categorized using the Behaviour Change Wheel, a behavior change framework, that indicated intervention functions of education, incentivization, and persuasion might be effective methods of increasing physical activity behavior among WIS veterans. Ultimately, this will lead to greater engagement with physical activity and improved health and wellbeing within this population

The Psychosocial Effects of Physical Activity on Military Veterans That Are Wounded, Injured, and/or Sick: A Narrative Synthesis Systematic Review of Quantitative Evidence

Physical activity (PA) for military veterans that are wounded, injured and/or sick (WIS) is becoming increasingly recognized as an advantageous method of increasing wellbeing. A narrative synthesis approach was used to systematically review current quanti‐ tative evidence exploring the psychological effects of PA on veterans that are WIS. Key databases were searched resulting in the inclusion of 19 studies. PA was shown to have a positive effect on post‐traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, social wellbeing, sleep quality, perceived functional impairment, participant mindfulness, and positive/negative affect; with im- provements in stress, social well-being, and positive/negative effect being greater among veterans that are WIS with lower health statuses. After comparing PA types, outdoor recreation appeared to more consistently reduce PTSD symptoms post‐intervention; whereas, yoga and horse riding were more effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Furthermore, where significant others were included in PA interventions/programs for veterans that are WIS, longer‐lasting benefits have been reported. However, in line with other reviews in this area, the methodological weaknesses of current research and non-standardized delivery of PA interven- tions limits the generalisability of the findings of this review

Combined liver resection and cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC for metastatic colorectal cancer: Results of a worldwide analysis of 565 patients from the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI)

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care