Exploring well-being and satisfaction with physiotherapy efficacy: an Italian study of cancer patients

Abstract

Several studies have shown that rehabilitation can alleviate post-treatment side effects, maintain quality of life, and improve survival. However, information on the experience of physiotherapy care among patients with cancer is scarce. This study aimed to explore well-being and satisfaction with and perceptions of efficacy of physiotherapy care among patients diagnosed with cancer. The participants were 100 subjects in rehabilitation therapy after surgery for cancer (mean age = 57.1 years, 87.1% women). The study collected quantitative data through a questionnaire on well-being and satisfaction with and efficacy of physiotherapy treatment. The results showed that participants had good levels of well-being, and compared to a control population, these participants showed significant differences in environmental mastery, personal growth and positive relationships with others. Participants in this study had higher levels of satisfaction with and perceptions of the efficacy of their physiotherapy care. Correlation analyses indicated that there is a moderate positive correlation between global satisfaction and the dimensions of treatment efficacy. The results are discussed in relation to the need to give attention to well-being and rehabilitation treatment in cancer patients