Newly diagnosed lung cancer patients’ preferences for and beliefs about physical activity prior to chemotherapy

Kristina H. Karvinen, Jeff Vallance, Paul R. Walker

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Physical activity has been found to have a number of benefits for lung cancer patients yet very little information is available concerning physical activity beliefs and preferences for this population. The purpose of the study was to explore physical activity programming and counseling preferences and beliefs about physical activity in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy. A total of 43 new diagnosed lung cancer patients completed a researcher-administered survey prior to commencing chemotherapy. Results indicated that only 7 participants (17%) reported meeting public health recommendations for physical activity yet the majority of participants (n = 28) indicated interest or possible interest in physical activity counseling. Many participants also indicated interest or possible interest in an exercise program (n = 29) for lung cancer survivors, preferring it to start during chemotherapy (n = 20), for it to be home based (n = 21), and moderate in intensity (n = 22). The most common behavioral belief (advantage) of physical activity was to build/maintain strength (n = 26) and the most common control belief (barrier) was fatigue (n = 11). These data suggest that physical activity counseling and programming may be well received by newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. Information about physical activity and programming preferences and beliefs from this study may be useful for the design of optimal physical activity interventions for lung cancer patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)593-600
Number of pages8
JournalPsychology, Health and Medicine
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jul. 2016

Keywords

  • Lung cancer
  • physical activity

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