title: Caregivers' attitudes toward promoting exercise among patients with late-stage lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The benefits of exercise, even at low intensity levels, in improving overall health, psychological well-being, and quality of life in patients with cancer have been well documented. However, few patients are involved in formal exercise programs, and little is known about the factors that motivate those who do participate. Although it has not been well assessed, it stands to reason that spousal and family support is an important determinant of cancer patients' adoption of, and adherence to, an exercise program.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize attitudes among the family caregivers of patients with late-stage lung cancer about their role in promoting exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 adult family caregivers of patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer were asked during semi-structured interviews about their views on the role of exercise in "fighting cancer," whether with respect to survival, health, psychological well-being, or overall quality of life; their ability to encourage patients to exercise; and their receptivity to getting exercise instructions from health care providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family caregivers viewed exercise as important in fighting cancer. Past exercise patterns and lifestyle were important considerations, with some family caregivers who had not previously exercised considering household activities sufficient for promoting fitness. Family caregivers emphasized the importance of knowing the established boundaries of their relationships and respecting patients' autonomy. Caregivers generally thought that direction from health care providers to exercise would more likely result in meaningful behavioral change for patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The participants were recruited from a quaternary medical center and restricted to those with lung cancer, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other settings or cancers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family caregivers believe that exercise is important for patients, but feel constrained in their willingness and ability to promote exercise behaviors because of the established boundaries of their relationships. They have mixed opinions about the utility of exercise promotion by health care providers. Family caregivers are ambivalent about promoting exercise for patients with advanced cancer. Nonjudgmental assessment of patients' past exercise preferences and established relationship boundaries should inform clinical judgment about the utility of engaging family caregivers in the promotion of exercise.
authors: Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota, USA.|School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: Rhudy
authors: Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota, USA.
authors: Ann Marie
authors: AM
authors: Dose
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Basford
authors: Department Health Sciences Research (a division of Health Care Policy and Research), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Joan M
authors: JM
authors: Griffin
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Cheville.andrea@mayo.edu.
authors: Andrea L
authors: AL
authors: Cheville
keywords: caregiver; exercise; late-stage cancer; qualitative