Physical activity counseling and programming preferences of liver cancer survivors

Background: Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and is comorbid with diseases associated with physical activity (PA) such as obesity, cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease. Although PA has shown to have a positive effect on physical, psychological, and emotional quality of life parameters, PA participation and adherence is low among cancer survivors. PA counseling and programming preferences can inform PA interventions targeting behavior change through providing specific information on how to tailor a program specific to a population’s needs. Although PA research has been conducted with numerous cancer populations, the literature on PA and LCS is notably lacking. Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to identify the interest and preferences of PA counseling and programming among LCS. The secondary aim was to investigate the prevalence of PA levels in LCS. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with a self-administered web-based survey was used to collect data from a sample of LCS. Medical and demographic variables and interest in PA programs, and PA counseling and programming preferences were assessed through self-report. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire was used to measure leisure time PA. Results: Nineteen LCS completed the online survey. 94.8% of LCS were interested or may be interested in participating in a PA program tailored for LCS, and 94.8% of LCS were interested or may be interested in participating in a PA program that would increase their PA level. LCS indicated preferences towards receiving exercise counseling during treatment and starting a program before, during or after treatment. Additionally, LCS preferred supervised, home-based PA and walking. 11.1% of LCS met the combined aerobic and resistance training PA guidelines. Conclusion: Although few preferences expressed by LCS were similar to other advanced cancer populations, LCS were found to have distinct and unique PA preferences in regard to PA start time and supervision. LCS expressed strong preferences towards receiving PA counseling during treatment and beginning a PA program at any point during the cancer continuum. Tailoring PA programs to the patient population may assist in optimizing PA programs for patient populations. These findings have relevance for clinicians and researchers seeking to design interventions for LCS and serve as a preliminary step towards implementing PA programs for this population.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Wong, Jaime N.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Trinh, Linda
• McAuley, Edward

• exercise
• motivation
• adherence
• lifestyle
• cancer patients

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Jaime Wong

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101016

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/101016