TY - JOUR
T1 - Perception and Performance of Physical Activity Behavior after Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
T2 - Exploration and Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Findings
AU - Sealy, Martine J
AU - Stuiver, Martijn M
AU - Midtgaard, Julie
AU - van der Schans, Cees P
AU - Roodenburg, Jan L N
AU - Jager-Wittenaar, Harriët
PY - 2022/1/1
Y1 - 2022/1/1
N2 - Maintaining or increasing physical activity (PA) may prevent loss of muscle mass and strength after completion of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. However, the exercise level of HNC patients may not meet PA guidelines. We aimed to explore HNC survivors' views on PA, their report of PA, and to compare these with objectively measured PA. Combined qualitative and quantitative data of HNC survivors were explored post-treatment. Data from semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and objective measurements of PA were collected, analyzed, and integrated. This resulted in the identification of five themes related to prioritizing, day-to-day life, intention, positive feelings, and social support, respectively, in nine HNC survivors (male: n = 5; age: 52-67 years). Objectively measured PA levels were sedentary to low. The lack of intention to increase PA may be related to HNC survivors' perception that their current activity level is sufficient, despite low levels of measured PA. While some participants feel they need no help with PA, others are insecure about possible harms. Healthcare professionals may be able to help improve PA in HNC survivors with a tailored approach that reduces fear of harm and helps to incorporate higher intensity PA in daily activities.
AB - Maintaining or increasing physical activity (PA) may prevent loss of muscle mass and strength after completion of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. However, the exercise level of HNC patients may not meet PA guidelines. We aimed to explore HNC survivors' views on PA, their report of PA, and to compare these with objectively measured PA. Combined qualitative and quantitative data of HNC survivors were explored post-treatment. Data from semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and objective measurements of PA were collected, analyzed, and integrated. This resulted in the identification of five themes related to prioritizing, day-to-day life, intention, positive feelings, and social support, respectively, in nine HNC survivors (male: n = 5; age: 52-67 years). Objectively measured PA levels were sedentary to low. The lack of intention to increase PA may be related to HNC survivors' perception that their current activity level is sufficient, despite low levels of measured PA. While some participants feel they need no help with PA, others are insecure about possible harms. Healthcare professionals may be able to help improve PA in HNC survivors with a tailored approach that reduces fear of harm and helps to incorporate higher intensity PA in daily activities.
KW - physical activity
KW - head and neck cancer
KW - mixed methods
KW - perception
KW - cancer survivors
KW - fysieke activiteit
KW - hoofd-halskanker
KW - perceptie
KW - overlevenden van kanker
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph19010287
DO - 10.3390/ijerph19010287
M3 - Article
C2 - 35010547
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 19
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 1
ER -