Facilitators and barriers of attending BaDuanJin experienced by breast cancer survivors during chemotherapy

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to adherence to a Baduanjin program experienced by breast cancer survivors (BCSs) during chemotherapy.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 10 BCSs in an interprofessional BaDuanJin program were conducted to understand their experiences, including the facilitators and barriers concerning exercise. Content analysis was performed following the behaviour change wheel (BCW).

Results

The following five domains emerged from the analysis: 1) Capacity: Recovery of upper limb function, symptom relief, and emotional release are facilitators; periodic treatment and related symptoms and negative emotions are barriers; 2) Motivation: Reflection on health, positive belief, and weight control are facilitators; a doubtful attitude is a barrier; 3) Opportunity: Recuperating at home is a facilitator; 4) Intervention: Facilitators include simple and gentle exercise at home, comprehensive tutoring by an interprofessional team, treating exercise as a task occurring at a fixed time, and peer support. The hindrances are work and home duties prior to exercise and a lack of group activities; and 5) Policy: Social media promotion and less support from physicians are facilitators and barriers, respectively.

Conclusion

Identifying facilitators and barriers leads to improved support from health professionals, which is required to provide effective strategies to increase adherence to BaDuanJin exercise.

KEYWORDS:

• BaDuanJin
• breast cancer
• chemotherapy
• barriers
• facilitators

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to every participant in this study. This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [No: 71804112]; National Social Sciences Fund of China [No:18BTY097], and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine [Hlgy1826kygg]

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [71804112]; National Social Science Fund of China [18BTY097]; Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine [Hlgy1826kygg]; Innovation research team of high-level local universities in Shanghai [SHSMU-ZDCX20212800].