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Patient Comments on a Hospital- and University-Based Exercise Oncology Program

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify referral source and patient-reported factors that promoted follow-through and participation in exercise oncology rehabilitation programs. A three question open-ended survey was administered to patients enrolled in trainer-supervised, hospital-based (n = 101), or university-based (n = 17) cancer rehabilitation program that provided 12 weeks of individualized one on one aerobic and resistance training 1–3 days per week. Significant themes for each question were as follows: Question #1. Who referred you to the program/facility? Oncology team (Χ2 = 145.814 P ≤ 0.001); Question #2. What convinced you to follow through with the referral? Health, fatigue, and need for supervision (Χ2 = 74.814 P ≤ 0.001); and Question #3. What motivates you to continue in the program? Personal results, getting healthy, and the trainer (Χ2 = 108.729 P ≤ 0.001). In this study, oncology team referral confirms previous work. Patient follow-through and continuation appear largely self-motivated as patients’ health and the attainment of health through personal results are primary motivators for continuation in the program. Question #3 responses note the importance of the trainer in maintaining continuation in an exercise oncology rehabilitation program.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Student and Staff Trainers of Evergreen Exercise Clinic and Maple Tree Cancer Alliance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA, USA

    Stephen M. LoRusso

  2. Program in Exercise Physiology, Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA, USA

    Stephen M. LoRusso & Shaelyn L. Parry

  3. Cancer Care Program, Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA, 15940, USA

    Stephen M. LoRusso & Travis P. Yahner

  4. Exercise Science Program, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA

    Karen Y. Wonders

  5. Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, Dayton, OH, USA

    Karen Y. Wonders

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  1. Stephen M. LoRusso
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  2. Shaelyn L. Parry
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  3. Travis P. Yahner
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  4. Karen Y. Wonders
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Contributions

Stephen M. LoRusso: study design, questionnaire development, thematic and data analysis, primary manuscript.

Shaelyn L. Parry: study design, thematic and data analysis, manuscript draft.

Travis P. Yahner: study design, questionnaire development thematic and data analysis, manuscript draft.

Karen Y. Wonders: study design, manuscript editor.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen M. LoRusso.

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Saint Francis University Institutional Review Board as Exempt from Waiver of Consent Study.

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Waived.

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Conflict of Interest

KYW is Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and SML was Co-Founder of Evergreen Exercise Clinic at Saint Francis University.

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LoRusso, S.M., Parry, S.L., Yahner, T.P. et al. Patient Comments on a Hospital- and University-Based Exercise Oncology Program. J Canc Educ 38, 639–645 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-022-02168-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-022-02168-6

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