TY - JOUR

T1 - Classmates motivate childhood cancer patients to participate in physical activity during treatment: A qualitative study

AU - Thorsteinsson, Troels

AU - Schmiegelow, Kjeld

AU - Thing, Lone Friis

AU - Andersen, Lars Bo

AU - Helms, Anne Sofie

AU - Ingersgaard, Marianne Vie

AU - Lindgren, Lea Hjortshøj

AU - Larsen, Hanne Baekgaard

N1 - CURIS 2019 NEXS 209

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Introduction: Children with cancer experience reduced physical fitness and compromised social relationships during and following intensive treatment. This may negatively impact their quality of life. As part of the RESPECT study, we explored the motivations for participation in a physical activity programme during treatment.Methods: Thirteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven boys and six girls, diagnosed with paediatric cancer in 2013 and treated with chemotherapy (age 8–16 years; time from diagnosis to interview 6–16 months). Interviews were conducted in the children's homes.Results: The qualitative analysis showed that children's motivations for engaging in the physical activity programme during intensive medical treatment were primarily influenced by (a) opportunity for physical activity with a classmate; (b) participation in group physical activity sessions; (c) support from significant others; and (d) improvement of physical well‐being. Main barriers included (a) poor physical well‐being; (b) compliance with medical procedures and being treated in protective isolation; and (c) limited physical activity facilities.Conclusion: Despite barriers, it is possible to motivate and engage children with cancer in physical activity during intensive treatment in a paediatric oncology ward. Physical exercise and activity should be recommended and promoted from diagnosis throughout the treatment period and should include psychosocial and professional support.

AB - Introduction: Children with cancer experience reduced physical fitness and compromised social relationships during and following intensive treatment. This may negatively impact their quality of life. As part of the RESPECT study, we explored the motivations for participation in a physical activity programme during treatment.Methods: Thirteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven boys and six girls, diagnosed with paediatric cancer in 2013 and treated with chemotherapy (age 8–16 years; time from diagnosis to interview 6–16 months). Interviews were conducted in the children's homes.Results: The qualitative analysis showed that children's motivations for engaging in the physical activity programme during intensive medical treatment were primarily influenced by (a) opportunity for physical activity with a classmate; (b) participation in group physical activity sessions; (c) support from significant others; and (d) improvement of physical well‐being. Main barriers included (a) poor physical well‐being; (b) compliance with medical procedures and being treated in protective isolation; and (c) limited physical activity facilities.Conclusion: Despite barriers, it is possible to motivate and engage children with cancer in physical activity during intensive treatment in a paediatric oncology ward. Physical exercise and activity should be recommended and promoted from diagnosis throughout the treatment period and should include psychosocial and professional support.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Cancer

KW - Exercise

KW - Intervention

KW - Motivation

KW - Paediatric oncology

KW - Rehabilitation

U2 - 10.1111/ecc.13121

DO - 10.1111/ecc.13121

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31215079

VL - 28

JO - European Journal of Cancer Care

JF - European Journal of Cancer Care

SN - 0961-5423

IS - 5

M1 - e13121

ER -