1 Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Currie Gymnasium, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1S4, Canada.
2 Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, D10-144, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada.
3 Research Institute-McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
4 Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Canada.
5 Department of Surgery, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maxima Medical Centre and Maastricht University Medical Centre, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, Netherlands.
6 Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Currie Gymnasium, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1S4, Canada. celena.scheede@mcgill.ca.
7 Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, D10-144, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada. celena.scheede@mcgill.ca.
8 Faculty of Education, McGill Research Centre for Physical Activity and Health, McGill University, 700 McTavish, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1Y2, Canada. celena.scheede@mcgill.ca.

Maximizing patient adherence to prehabilitation: what do the patients say?

Support Care Cancer. 2018 Aug;26(8):2717-2723

Authors: Ferreira V, Agnihotram RV, Bergdahl A, van Rooijen SJ, Awasthi R, Carli F, Scheede-Bergdahl C

Abstract

PURPOSE: Multimodal prehabilitation programs (exercise, nutrition, and anxiety reduction) have been shown to be successful for enhancing patients' physical function prior to surgery, although adherence remains a challenge. Given the short pre-operative period, maintaining adherence is critical to maximize program effectiveness. This study was designed to better understand patients' perspectives of prehabilitation and to identify factors related to program adherence.

METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted based on 52 cancer patients enrolled in a prehabilitation program at the Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Canada. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire designed to evaluate the program.

RESULTS: Patients enjoyed their experience in prehabilitation, especially the exercise program and training sessions. The primary motivating factor for participation was to be physically prepared for the surgery. The most challenging exercise component was resistance training, while the most enjoyed was the aerobic training. Approximately 50% of patients were interested in group fitness classes as opposed to supervised individual training sessions for reasons related to social support. The preferred methods for exercise program delivery were home-based and one supervised exercise session per week. The biggest barrier to participation was related to transportation.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need to make prehabilitation programs more patient-centered. This is critical when designing more effective therapeutic strategies tailored to meet patients' specific needs while overcoming program non-adherence.

PMID: 29478189 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]