Are palliative cancer patients willing and able to participate in a physical exercise program?
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of the present article was to identify palliative care patient populations who are willing to participate in and able to complete a group exercise/physical training program designed specifically for the individual patient.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective phase II intervention study examining the willingness and ability of palliative care cancer patients to participate in a group exercise physical training program. Patients who were diagnosed with incurable cancer and had a life expectancy of less than 1 year at two outpatient clinics were invited to participate in an exercise program in the hospitals. The groups met twice a week over a 6-week period.


RESULTS
One hundred one consecutive patients were asked for inclusion. Sixty-three patients agreed to participate. Sixteen (25%) of the 63 patients dropped out after consent was given, but before the program started due to medical problems, social reasons, or death. Thus, 47 patients started the exercise program. Thirteen patients withdrew during the program due to sudden death, medical problems, or social reasons. The most frequent reasons for withdrawal were increased pain or other symptoms. Thirty-four patients completed the exercise program.


CONCLUSIONS
A high proportion of incurable cancer patients were willing to participate (63%) in a structured exercise program. The attrition rate was high, but despite being severely ill, 54% of the patients completed the exercise period. This shows that a physical exercise program tailored to the individual patient is feasible in this population.
Oldervoll
Line M
LM
Norwegian Cancer Society, Oslo, Norway. line.oldervoll@ntnu.no
Loge
Jon H
JH
Paltiel
Hanne
H
Asp
May B
MB
Vidvei
Unni
U
Hjermstad
Marianne J
MJ
Kaasa
Stein
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome