Amanda Wurz1, Jenson Price2, Jennifer Brunet3,4,5. 1. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 2. School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 3. School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. jennifer.brunet@uottawa.ca. 4. Cancer Therapeutic Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. jennifer.brunet@uottawa.ca. 5. Institut du savoir Montfort, Hôpital Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. jennifer.brunet@uottawa.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The self-perceptions of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after cancer treatment are not well understood. As part of a two-arm, mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), this qualitative sub-study explored AYAs' self-perceptions after cancer treatment and investigated how physical activity (PA) may contribute to their self-perceptions. METHODS: Data were collected from 16 AYAs who completed cancer treatment and who participated in a two-arm, mixed-methods pilot RCT. Recruited AYAs were randomized to a 12-week PA intervention or a wait-list control group, and semi-structured interviews were conducted at baseline (pre-randomization) and 12 weeks later (post-intervention or post-waiting period) to elicit discussions on self-perceptions and PA. Data were analyzed thematically using inductive and deductive approaches. The exercise and self-esteem model (EXSEM) was the theoretical lens for the deductive analysis. RESULTS: Data were organized into four unified main themes: (1) I came out on top and am (re)discovering myself, (2) Comparison to my past self and others induces negative feelings, (3) My changed body brings me down, but it does not rule my life, and (4) My previous experience with PA informs my expectations for my future PA, and two themes contingent on group allocation: (5) Participating in a PA program made me feel better about myself, and (6) I did not notice any changes while waiting for the PA program, but I am anticipating support. CONCLUSION: AYAs' self-perceptions are amenable to change, positively and negatively valenced, and influenced by PA. Although the EXSEM captured intrapersonal factors related to AYAs' self-perceptions after cancer treatment, interpersonal and contextual factors beyond the EXSEM also shaped their self-perceptions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03016728. Registered January 11, 2017.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: The self-perceptions of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after cancer treatment are not well understood. As part of a two-arm, mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), this qualitative sub-study explored AYAs' self-perceptions after cancer treatment and investigated how physical activity (PA) may contribute to their self-perceptions. METHODS: Data were collected from 16 AYAs who completed cancer treatment and who participated in a two-arm, mixed-methods pilot RCT. Recruited AYAs were randomized to a 12-week PA intervention or a wait-list control group, and semi-structured interviews were conducted at baseline (pre-randomization) and 12 weeks later (post-intervention or post-waiting period) to elicit discussions on self-perceptions and PA. Data were analyzed thematically using inductive and deductive approaches. The exercise and self-esteem model (EXSEM) was the theoretical lens for the deductive analysis. RESULTS: Data were organized into four unified main themes: (1) I came out on top and am (re)discovering myself, (2) Comparison to my past self and others induces negative feelings, (3) My changed body brings me down, but it does not rule my life, and (4) My previous experience with PA informs my expectations for my future PA, and two themes contingent on group allocation: (5) Participating in a PA program made me feel better about myself, and (6) I did not notice any changes while waiting for the PA program, but I am anticipating support. CONCLUSION: AYAs' self-perceptions are amenable to change, positively and negatively valenced, and influenced by PA. Although the EXSEM captured intrapersonal factors related to AYAs' self-perceptions after cancer treatment, interpersonal and contextual factors beyond the EXSEM also shaped their self-perceptions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03016728. Registered January 11, 2017.
Authors: Alex W K Wong; Ting-Ting Chang; Katrina Christopher; Stephen C L Lau; Lynda K Beaupin; Brad Love; Kim L Lipsey; Michael Feuerstein Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2017-03-29 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Laurien M Buffart; Robert U Newton; Mai J Chinapaw; Dennis R Taaffe; Nigel A Spry; James W Denham; David J Joseph; David S Lamb; Johannes Brug; Daniel A Galvão Journal: Cancer Date: 2015-04-17 Impact factor: 6.860