Lung cancer patients perceived barriers and facilitators towards exercise: A Q-methodology study

Abstract

Lung cancer surgery patients’ perspectives, perceived barriers and facilitators towards exercise: A Q- Methodology study. Salma Kadiri, Helene Mitchell Objectives: Research has shown that surgical lung cancer patients’ exercise adherence and physical functioning is low. This study aimed to identify perspectives, perceived barriers and facilitators towards exercising in lung cancer surgical patients. Design: Attitudes to exercise were explored using Q-methodology. This allowed participants a voice through responding to statements on a difficult topic of exercising during cancer treatment unlike other methods e.g. questionnaires, which can prove to be difficult as a platform to articulate thoughts. Method: Thirty patients from various socio-economic backgrounds, ranging in age from 44 to 88 years, were recruited from Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham and asked to rank a set of statements from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The Q sorts were analysed using by-person factor analysis and common patterns in the rankings were identified, then interpreted into perspectives. Detailed insights into these perspectives were provided by the data collected through 5 post-sort interviews. Results: Six perspectives were identified: ‘Exercise to take control of your own health’, ‘Exercise is a way of life’, ‘Active life with the family and for the family’, ‘Exercise is a means to an end’ ‘Exercising for health and social benefits’ and ‘Other important things in life than exercise’. Conclusions: This study provides a unique insight into attitudes related to exercise whilst undergoing surgery for lung cancer. Identifying the range of values, opinions and beliefs of a diverse group experiencing the same lung cancer pathway is important to ensure that different perspectives are incorporated into pulmonary rehabilitation, and potentially increase adherence of exercise.