Canadian oncology physiotherapists’ perspectives of physical activity in people with advanced cancer: a mixed-methods study

ABSTRACT

Background

Individuals with advanced cancer can benefit from physical activity (PA), but face barriers to PA participation. Physiotherapists can be well-positioned to support this patient population.

Objective

Our objective was to describe the perspectives, practices, knowledge, and skills of oncology physiotherapists related to PA in people with advanced cancer.

Methods

In this mixed-methods study, we recruited Canadian physiotherapists with current or recent clinical experience with advanced cancer. Phase I consisted of an online survey about views toward PA in advanced cancer and activity-related recommendations and concerns for two case scenarios. Phase II involved individual, semi-structured interviews about perspectives related to working with advanced cancer.

Results

Sixty-two physiotherapists participated in the survey, of which 13 participated in interviews. Most respondents (> 85%) agreed or strongly agreed PA is important and safe for individuals with advanced cancer. Case responses highlighted cancer-related considerations (e.g. bone metastases) tailored activity recommendations, and patient-centered, interprofessional care. Interview themes included: 1) situating PA within individually meaningful goals; 2) tailored strategies to promote PA; 3) overarching roles in functional optimization and symptom management; and 4) generalized lack of awareness regarding physiotherapy.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate Canadian oncology physiotherapists describe knowledge of the safety and importance of PA, as well as key considerations in advanced cancer. Moreover, they highlight the importance of a patient-centered approach to support this population, particularly in facilitating safe and meaningful PA, as well as optimizing function and alleviating symptom burden. Further efforts are needed to investigate the development and integration of physiotherapy within cancer care.

KEYWORDS:

• Advanced cancer
• oncology
• palliative care
• physical activity
• physiotherapy

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to our research participants for sharing their valuable time and knowledge with us. We also thank the CPA Oncology Division, Angela Yung, Chantal Ball, Hussein Baharoon, Nishanth Kumar, Sukhi Johal, and others for their assistance.

Disclosure statement

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

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2138663

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.