Breast cancer survivors’ perceptions of participating in a supervised exercise intervention: A systematic, critical review of the qualitative literature

Background. Despite the reported beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) during and after cancer diagnosis, current research data suggest that the percentages of breast cancer survivors who adhere to PA recommendations are low. The aim of the present systematic, critical review was to identify, analyze and provide a summary of qualitative literature findings, which have explored breast cancer survivors’ experiences of participating in an exercise/PA intervention after cancer treatment. Methods. A systematic search was conducted using CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed and Scopus electronic databases to search for qualitative literature published during 2000–2016. A total of six studies which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Thematic synthesis, following Thomas and Harden’s (2008) methods, were used to analyze the data. Findings. Seven descriptive themes were developed: control, focus, transitioning phase, regaining a sense of confidence, enhanced spirits, social support and safe environment. The findings suggested that participation in supervised exercise interventions enhanced breast cancer survivors’ self-confidence and mood. It allowed them to regain control and provide a focus, therefore allowing them to move forward in their lives. Conclusion. The results of this systematic critical review indicated that supervised exercise was a positive experience for breast cancer survivors

Performance and Usability of Visual and Verbal Verification of Word-based Key Fingerprints

The security of messaging applications against person-in-the-middle attacks relies on the authenticity of the exchanged keys. For users unable to meet in person, a manual key fingerprint verification is necessary to ascertain key authenticity. Such fingerprints can be exchanged visually or verbally, and it is not clear in which condition users perform best. This paper reports the results of a 62-participant study that investigated differences in performance and perceived usability of visual and verbal comparisons of word-based key fingerprints, and the influence of the individual's cognitive learning style. The results show visual comparisons to be more effective against non-security critical errors and are perceived to provide increased confidence, yet participants perceive verbal comparisons to be easier and require less mental effort. Besides, limited evidence was found on the influence of the individual's learning style on their performance