Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception

ABSTRACT Purpose This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with cancer and bone metastases who participated in a personalized exercise program. Methods Individual interviews were conducted through purposeful sampling of patients who attended the 3‐month supervised exercise...

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Main Authors: Anita Borsati, Daniela Tregnago, Matteo Caleffi, Christian Ciurnelli, Linda Toniolo, Ilaria Trestini, Lorenzo Belluomini, Marco Sposito, Jessica Insolda, Federico Schena, Michele Milella, Sara Pilotto, Alice Avancini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Cancer Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70865
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author Anita Borsati
Daniela Tregnago
Matteo Caleffi
Christian Ciurnelli
Linda Toniolo
Ilaria Trestini
Lorenzo Belluomini
Marco Sposito
Jessica Insolda
Federico Schena
Michele Milella
Sara Pilotto
Alice Avancini
author_facet Anita Borsati
Daniela Tregnago
Matteo Caleffi
Christian Ciurnelli
Linda Toniolo
Ilaria Trestini
Lorenzo Belluomini
Marco Sposito
Jessica Insolda
Federico Schena
Michele Milella
Sara Pilotto
Alice Avancini
author_sort Anita Borsati
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Purpose This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with cancer and bone metastases who participated in a personalized exercise program. Methods Individual interviews were conducted through purposeful sampling of patients who attended the 3‐month supervised exercise program. Using a phenomenological approach, semi‐structured questions were developed to investigate the benefits, risks, facilitators, and barriers related to exercise. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Thirteen patients with mixed cancer types participated in the study. Patients recognized the physical and psychological benefits of exercise, such as improvements in physical fitness, bone health, reduction of symptoms, especially pain and fatigue, and increase in self‐confidence. While they did not perceive any disadvantage from participating in the program, they acknowledged the risk of bone fractures or exacerbation of lesions if the intervention is not tailored and supervised. The program's structure, including the involvement of dedicated specialists, has been reported as a fundamental pillar. Among the modulators for participation and adherence, comorbidities associated with bone metastases, logistic barriers, and lack of social support may be obstacles. Conversely, recommendations from the oncologist, personal motivation, and peer support were found to be facilitators of practice. Conclusions Patients with bone metastases expressed a broad range of benefits from participation in a structured exercise program. Several modulators may affect uptake and adherence and thus should be considered when designing a dedicated program.
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spelling doaj-art-5ec68acd37df42228bfae4d91364fbc52025-08-20T02:18:35ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342025-04-01148n/an/a10.1002/cam4.70865Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' PerceptionAnita Borsati0Daniela Tregnago1Matteo Caleffi2Christian Ciurnelli3Linda Toniolo4Ilaria Trestini5Lorenzo Belluomini6Marco Sposito7Jessica Insolda8Federico Schena9Michele Milella10Sara Pilotto11Alice Avancini12Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine – Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI) University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement University of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement University of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement University of Verona Verona ItalyDietetic Service, Medical Direction Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona Verona ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine – Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI) University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona Verona ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine – Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI) University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona Verona ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine – Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI) University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement University of Verona Verona ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine – Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI) University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona Verona ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine – Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI) University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement University of Verona Verona ItalyABSTRACT Purpose This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with cancer and bone metastases who participated in a personalized exercise program. Methods Individual interviews were conducted through purposeful sampling of patients who attended the 3‐month supervised exercise program. Using a phenomenological approach, semi‐structured questions were developed to investigate the benefits, risks, facilitators, and barriers related to exercise. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Thirteen patients with mixed cancer types participated in the study. Patients recognized the physical and psychological benefits of exercise, such as improvements in physical fitness, bone health, reduction of symptoms, especially pain and fatigue, and increase in self‐confidence. While they did not perceive any disadvantage from participating in the program, they acknowledged the risk of bone fractures or exacerbation of lesions if the intervention is not tailored and supervised. The program's structure, including the involvement of dedicated specialists, has been reported as a fundamental pillar. Among the modulators for participation and adherence, comorbidities associated with bone metastases, logistic barriers, and lack of social support may be obstacles. Conversely, recommendations from the oncologist, personal motivation, and peer support were found to be facilitators of practice. Conclusions Patients with bone metastases expressed a broad range of benefits from participation in a structured exercise program. Several modulators may affect uptake and adherence and thus should be considered when designing a dedicated program.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70865barriersbone metastasesexercisefacilitatorsneedsperception
spellingShingle Anita Borsati
Daniela Tregnago
Matteo Caleffi
Christian Ciurnelli
Linda Toniolo
Ilaria Trestini
Lorenzo Belluomini
Marco Sposito
Jessica Insolda
Federico Schena
Michele Milella
Sara Pilotto
Alice Avancini
Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception
Cancer Medicine
barriers
bone metastases
exercise
facilitators
needs
perception
title Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception
title_full Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception
title_fullStr Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception
title_full_unstemmed Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception
title_short Overcome the Fear of Exercise in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Qualitative Study on Patients' Perception
title_sort overcome the fear of exercise in patients with bone metastases a qualitative study on patients perception
topic barriers
bone metastases
exercise
facilitators
needs
perception
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70865
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