Experiences of exercise and its significance for the quality of life among patients with advanced cancer – A qualitative study

Résumé fourni par la source

PURPOSE: To explore the experiences of patients with advanced cancer regarding exercise and its significance for their quality of life. METHODS: A total of 17 patients participated in the study and were individually interviewed using semi-structured thematic interviews between April 2023 and April 2025. The interview data were subjected to inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Most patients with advanced cancer exercised several times weekly, for several hours each week. Patients engaged actively in aerobic activities, but the number of muscle-strengthening activities and stretching was limited. Following the onset of advanced cancer, patients' ability to exercise declined, while their perceived importance of exercise increased. According to the experiences of patients with advanced cancer, exercise facilitated the preservation of health and contributed to the preservation of overall well-being. CONCLUSION: At the onset of advanced cancer, healthcare professionals should discuss patients' exercise habits and ensure that both the quantity and type of exercise are appropriate. If necessary, patients should be offered informational and practical support for implementing healthier exercise habits. Moreover, based on the experiences of patients with advanced cancer, exercise is perceived to have exclusively beneficial consequences for quality of life.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.