| 1. |
- Ax, Anna-Karin, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Cost-effectiveness of different exercise intensities during oncological treatment in the Phys-Can RCT
- 2023
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 62:4, s. 414-421
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundCost-effectiveness is important in the prioritisation between interventions in health care. Exercise is cost-effective compared to usual care during oncological treatment; however, the significance of exercise intensity to the cost-effectiveness is unclear. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of the randomised controlled trial Phys-Can, a six-month exercise programme of high (HI) or low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) during (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment.MethodsA cost-effectiveness analysis was performed, based on 189 participants with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer (HI: n = 99 and LMI: n = 90) from the Phys-Can RCT in Sweden. Costs were estimated from a societal perspective, and included cost of the exercise intervention, health care utilisation and productivity loss. Health outcomes were assessed as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), using EQ-5D-5L at baseline, post intervention and 12 months after the completion of the intervention.ResultsAt 12-month follow-up after the intervention, the total cost per participant did not differ significantly between HI (€27,314) and LMI exercise (€29,788). There was no significant difference in health outcome between the intensity groups. On average HI generated 1.190 QALYs and LMI 1.185 QALYs. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio indicated that HI was cost effective compared with LMI, but the uncertainty was large.ConclusionsWe conclude that HI and LMI exercise have similar costs and effects during oncological treatment. Hence, based on cost-effectiveness, we suggest that decision makers and clinicians can consider implementing both HI and LMI exercise programmes and recommend either intensity to the patients with cancer during oncological treatment to facilitate improvement of health.
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| 2. |
- Ax, Anna-Karin, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Exercise : A positive feature on functioning in daily life during cancer treatment — Experiences from the Phys-Can study
- 2020
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Ingår i: European Journal of Oncology Nursing. - : Elsevier. - 1462-3889 .- 1532-2122. ; 44
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Impaired functioning due to cancer treatment is a challenge for daily life. Exercise during treatment can improve functioning. However, research describing experiences of how exercise affects activities of daily life is limited. We aimed to explore how individuals with cancer receiving curative treatment and participating in an exercise intervention experienced their functioning in daily life.METHODS: Twenty-one participants were recruited from Phys-Can, an exercise intervention study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after the intervention had finished, and data was analysed using thematic analysis.RESULTS: Two main themes evolved: "Striving to maintain a normal life in a new context" and "Struggling with impairments from side effects of cancer treatment". The supervised group exercise proved popular, and participants reported positive effects on physical and psychological functioning, as well as social and informative support from other participants. Participants struggled with impaired cognitive and physical functioning and exhaustion. They strove to maintain a normal life by adjusting their activities.CONCLUSIONS: Perceived physical and psychological benefits from exercise during cancer treatment suggest that exercise should be a part of cancer rehabilitation to facilitate activities and participation in daily life. Striving to maintain a normal life during cancer treatment is vital, and adjustments are needed to maintain activities and participation in daily life. Cancer nurses should motivate patients to engage in physical activity and encourage the introduction of exercise as part of their rehabilitation. They could also support patients in making adjustments to maintain functioning in daily life.
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| 3. |
- Ax, Anna-Karin, 1980-
(författare)
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Exercise in patients with cancer : Effects on health-related quality of life, costs, and cost-effectiveness during oncological treatment
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Short and long-term side effects of oncological treatment negatively affect daily living and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patient with cancer. Exercise during treatment is beneficial for HRQoL, however evidence as to what exercise intensity is most optimal for improving HRQoL and cost-effectiveness is lacking. Cost-effectiveness is important information for decisionmakers when implementing healthcare interventions, such as exercise programmes. The overall aim of this thesis was to study functioning in daily life, HRQoL, costs, and cost-effectiveness of an exercise intervention of different exercise intensities in patients with cancer receiving oncological treatment. Method: Study I was qualitative and explored how individuals with cancer receiving curative treatment and participating in an exercise intervention experienced their functioning in daily life. Semi-structured individual interviews (n =21) were performed and analysed with thematic analysis. Studies II–IV were quantitative and used data from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of high-intensity (HI) and low-to-moderate-intensity (LMI) exercise of combined resistance and endurance training with or without self-regulatory behaviour change support. The RCT was preceded by a descriptive longitudinal study with usual care (UC). Participants were diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colon cancer and received (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment. Study II evaluated the effects on HRQoL of exercising at HI (n =288) and LMI (n =289) versus UC (n =89) up to 18 months after start of oncological treatment, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and multivariate statistics. Study III evaluated resource utilisation and societal costs of the exercise intervention in the RCT (n =534) versus UC (n =85), and of HI (n =269) versus LMI (n =265) exercise 18 months after start of oncological treatment. Societal costs included costs of healthcare resource utilisation (healthcare visits, hospitalisation, prescribed medication), productivity loss (disability pensions and sick leave), and the exercise intervention. Study IV evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the exercise intensities in the RCT (HI: n =99 and LMI: n =90) at 1-year follow-up post intervention. Cost data were retrieved from Study III and health outcome were collected using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and calculated for quality-adjusted life-years. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results: Participants experienced impairments from oncological treatment but strove to maintain function in daily life. The exercise programme improved physical and psychological wellbeing during treatment (Study I). There were no significant differences in HRQoL between exercise intensities up to 1 year after the exercise intervention. The exercise groups scored significant better HRQoL compared to UC over time (Study II). There was no significant difference in mean societal costs between the exercise intervention and UC, nor between the exercise intensities (Study III). There was no significant difference in cost or in effect between the exercise intensities. Although the mean ICER indicated that HI was cost-effective compared to LMI, the uncertainty was large (Study IV). Conclusion: Participating in an exercise programme during oncological treatment was a positive and supportive experience that contributed to increase physical and psychological wellbeing. Exercise of HI and LMI during oncological treatment had similar effect on HRQoL and societal costs. In addition, the exercise group had beneficial effects on HRQoL and no significant difference in societal costs compared to UC, meaning the exercise programme did not save or add societal cost. Thus, based on cost-effectiveness we suggest decisionmakers and clinicians implement exercise programmes including both HI and LMI in cancer care and recommend exercise regardless of intensity according to the patient’s preferences to improve or to maintain aspects of HRQoL during oncological treatment.
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| 4. |
- Ax, Anna-Karin, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term resource utilisation and associated costs of exercise during (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment : the Phys-Can project
- 2022
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 61:7, s. 888-896
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Exercise during oncological treatment is beneficial to patient health and can counteract the side effects of treatment. Knowledge of the societal costs associated with an exercise intervention, however, is limited. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the long-term resource utilisation and societal costs of an exercise intervention conducted during (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment in a randomised control trial (RCT) versus usual care (UC), and to compare high-intensity (HI) versus low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise in the RCT.METHODS: We used data from the Physical Training and Cancer (Phys-Can) project. In the RCT, 577 participants were randomised to HI or to LMI of combined endurance and resistance training for 6 months, during oncological treatment. The project also included 89 participants with UC in a longitudinal observational study. We measured at baseline and after 18 months. Resource utilisation and costs of the exercise intervention, health care, and productivity loss were compared using analyses of covariance (RCT vs. UC) and t test (HI vs. LMI).RESULTS: Complete data were available for 619 participants (RCT HI: n = 269, LMI: n = 265, and UC: n = 85). We found no difference in total societal costs between the exercise intervention groups in the RCT and UC. However, participants in the RCT had lower rates of disability pension days (p < .001), corresponding costs (p = .001), and pharmacy costs (p = .018) than the UC group. Nor did we find differences in resource utilisation or costs between HI and LMI exercise int the RCT.CONCLUSION: Our study showed no difference in total societal costs between the comprehensive exercise intervention and UC or between the exercise intensities. This suggests that exercise, with its well-documented health benefits during oncological treatment, produces neither additional costs nor savings.
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| 5. |
- Ax, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Short- and long-term effect of high versus low-to-moderate intensity exercise to optimise health-related quality of life after oncological treatment-results from the Phys-Can project
- 2022
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - Heidelberg, Germany : Springer Nature. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 30:7, s. 5949-5963
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high intensity (HI) vs low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 18 months after commencement of oncological treatment in patients with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. In addition, we conducted a comparison with usual care (UC).METHODS: Patients scheduled for (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment (n = 577) were randomly assigned to 6 months of combined resistance and endurance training of HI or LMI. A longitudinal descriptive study (UC) included participants (n = 89) immediately before the RCT started. HRQoL was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline, 3, 6 and 18 months (1 year after completed exercise intervention) follow-up. Linear mixed models were used to study the groups over time.RESULTS: Directly after the intervention, HI scored significant (P = 0.02), but not clinically relevant, higher pain compared with LMI. No other significant difference in HRQoL was found between the exercise intensities over time. Clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL over time were detected within both exercise intensities. We found favourable significant differences in HRQoL in both exercise intensities compared with UC over time.CONCLUSION: This study adds to the strong evidence of positive effect of exercise and shows that exercise, regardless of intensity, can have beneficial effects on HRQoL during oncological treatment and also for a substantial time after completion of an exercise intervention. In this study, for one year after.IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Patients can be advised to exercise at either intensity level according to their personal preferences, and still benefit from both short-term and long-term improvements in HRQoL.
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| 6. |
- Demmelmaier, Ingrid, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
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Does exercise intensity matter for fatigue during (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment? The Phys-Can randomized clinical trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. - : Wiley. - 0905-7188 .- 1600-0838. ; 31:5, s. 1144-1159
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exercise during cancer treatment improves cancer-related fatigue (CRF), but the importance of exercise intensity for CRF is unclear. We compared the effects of high- vs low-to-moderate-intensity exercise with or without additional behavior change support (BCS) on CRF in patients undergoing (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment. This was a multicenter, 2x2 factorial design randomized controlled trial (Clinical Trials NCT02473003) in Sweden. Participants recently diagnosed with breast (n = 457), prostate (n = 97) or colorectal (n = 23) cancer undergoing (neo-)adjuvant treatment were randomized to high intensity (n = 144), low-to-moderate intensity (n = 144), high intensity with BCS (n = 144) or low-to-moderate intensity with BCS (n = 145). The 6-month exercise intervention included supervised resistance training and home-based endurance training. CRF was assessed by Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI, five subscales score range 4-20), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-F, score range 0-52). Multiple linear regression for main factorial effects was performed according to intention-to-treat, with post-intervention CRF as primary endpoint. Overall, 577 participants (mean age 58.7 years) were randomized. Participants randomized to high- vs low-to-moderate-intensity exercise had lower physical fatigue (MFI Physical Fatigue subscale; mean difference −1.05 [95% CI: −1.85, −0.25]), but the difference was not clinically important (ie <2). We found no differences in other CRF dimensions and no effect of additional BCS. There were few minor adverse events. For CRF, patients undergoing (neo-)adjuvant treatment for breast, prostate or colorectal cancer can safely exercise at high- or low-to-moderate intensity, according to their own preferences. Additional BCS does not provide extra benefit for CRF in supervised, well-controlled exercise interventions.
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| 7. |
- Enblom, Anna, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Frequent Stools Were Related to Reduced Quality of Life and Capacity in Daily Activities Weekly Observations During and After Pelvic or Abdominal Radiotherapy
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cancer Nursing. - : LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 43:6, s. 478-488
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Greater knowledge regarding stool frequency and infrequency during pelvic and abdominal irradiation is needed to accurately identify patients at risk of either. Objective To describe occurrence of frequent and infrequent stools during pelvic-abdominal radiotherapy, and to compare quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADLs) of those patients experiencing frequent stools with those of patients experiencing infrequent stools. Methods Longitudinally during radiotherapy, 193 patients (64% had gynecological tumors) documented stool frequency, medications, and QoL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Results Fifty (26%) experienced frequent stools (>= 28 stools a week), and 17 (9%) experienced infrequent stools (<3 stools a week). The frequency of stools and the consumption of medication for diarrhea were highest the last week of the radiotherapy period (50% had >= 49 stools a week, and 50% could not even define the number of stools). Thirty-seven of the patients experiencing frequent stools used antidiarrhea medications. Patients with frequent stools experienced lower QoL (P = .035) and capacity in ADLs (P = .023) compared with patients not experiencing frequent stools. Conclusions A fourth of patients irradiated over pelvic or abdominal fields experienced frequent stools, defined as moderate to severe diarrhea, and those patients experienced lower QoL and capacity in ADLs compared with patients who did not experience frequent stools. Infrequent stools were rarely experienced. Implications for Practice Cancer nursing professionals should deliver evidence-based strategies to prevent frequent stools and treat frequent stools as an approach to lower the risk of impaired capacity in daily living and worsened QoL.
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| 8. |
- Härle, Karolina, 1980-
(författare)
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Enterocutaneous fistula : Patients', families' and healthcare professionals' experiences - epidemiology and outcomes
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Introduction: Enterocutaneous fistula is a rare and complex condition with high morbidity. The condition causes multiple health problems, and it is both physically and psychologically demanding for the affected person and their families. Infection, fistula wound care challenges, electrolyte and fluid imbalance, and malnutrition render the individual in need of long periods of in-hospital care and homecare. This also places great demands on healthcare professionals and knowledge among healthcare professionals can be lacking. The patients have different needs and person-centred care is one way to promote individualised care based on the patient’s specific needs. Research about how enterocutaneous fistula affects the individual and their families is scarce, and healthcare professionals often have little experience providing care for these patients. There is also a lack of population-based studies on enterocutaneous fistula.Aim: The overall aims of the thesis were to explore patients’, family members’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences of enterocutaneous fistula, and to define the cohort of patients who developed an enterocutaneous fistula within a ten-year period in the southeast healthcare region of Sweden.Methods: This thesis is based on four studies and includes individual, dyadic, and focus group interviews as well as a retrospective study of medical records. The first study had a qualitative inductive design with individual in-depth interviews of nine patients with experience of living with an enterocutaneous fistula. The analysis was conducted using descriptive phenomenology according to Giorgi. The second study had a longitudinal qualitative design with in-depth dyadic interviews with seven dyads consisting of one patient and one close family member. The dyads were interviewed on three different occasions: before, shortly after and one year after reconstructive surgery. A phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis according to Lindseth and Norberg was performed. The third study had a qualitative descriptive design with five focus group interviews of healthcare professionals and the data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The fourth study was a population-based cohort study with 187 participants and a retrospective review of medical records was performed.Result: Living with an enterocutaneous fistula meant facing an unpredictable life for months or years that causes several limitations in daily life for both the patients and their family members. Fear of leakage from the fistula appliance and dependency on intravenous supplementation caused social isolation. Both the patients and the family members struggled with psychological distress and support from the healthcare professionals was important. There were both positive and negative experiences of the provided healthcare. Lack of knowledge and understanding among the healthcare professionals affected the patients’ and families trust in the healthcare. Despite all, they were hopeful for the future and looked forward to having a life without the fistula.Providing care for patients with enterocutaneous fistula was complex, and time- and resource-consuming. The healthcare professionals struggled with different practical issues and providing care for these patients required an integrated approach involving different disciplines. Building long-lasting relationships with patients and their families was fundamental to the caring process.The annual incidence of enterocutaneous fistula was 1.87 per 100.000 persons. Cumulative enterocutaneous fistula related in-hospital care, until closure or end of follow-up, was median 4 (range 0–61) weeks. Thirty-seven per cent of the patients needed parenteral supplementation and 80% needed help with fistula wound care. Home-based healthcare, i.e., fistula wound care, resources for parenteral feeding and access to 24-hour emergency wound care at home, was provided to 42.2% of the patients. Estimated overall mortality at one, three, and five years was 33.7%, 42.1%, and 47.6%, respectively. Mortality was dominated by patients who did not have spontaneous closure of the enterocutaneous fistula or undergo reconstructive surgery.Conclusions: Enterocutaneous fistula is a serious condition with a high overall mortality and the patients need a lot of healthcare resources. The condition restricts the patient’s and family’s daily life and leads to social isolation and psychological distress. By promoting person-centred care and patient participation, the healthcare professionals can strengthen autonomy in daily life and improve the patient’s ability to cope with the situation. Regular team meetings of the multidisciplinary team, careful planning before discharge and providing person-centred care can facilitate the care process for everyone involved.
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| 9. |
- Härle, Karolina, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Putting life on hold : A longitudinal phenomenological-hermeneutic study of living with [or close to someone with] an enterocutaneous fistula before and after reconstructive surgery
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 32:15-16, s. 4663-4676
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims and Objectives Illuminate meanings of living with [or close to someone with] an enterocutaneous fistula before and after reconstructive surgery. Background Enterocutaneous fistula is a serious condition affecting the well-being and social life of both patients and families, sometimes for several years. Design A longitudinal qualitative design. Methods Patients and families (n = 14) were followed with dyadic interviews at three occasions, conducted 2017-2020. The interviews were analysed with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. COREQ guidelines were followed. Result Living with an enterocutaneous fistula was explained as life being put on hold, while living in a bubble for an uncertain time. This bubble meant facing an unpredictable and restricted life where the dyads were forced to take control over the situation despite being vulnerable inside, striving to resume normality. The patients dealt with never-ending symptoms such as leakage from the fistula, pain and fatigue, while the family supported with practical matters and just being close. Dependency on intravenous fluids resulted in social isolation, which caused mode swings and depressiveness. In this situation, healthcare professionals often became a substitute for other interactions, but the lack of understanding about the dyads situation, affected their trust in the healthcare. Despite all, they still had belief in the future, the patients having higher expectations than the family. Conclusions Living with an enterocutaneous fistula meant a daily life struggling with many limitations. This implies that the transition was associated with difficulties and the dyads strived to accept their situation. Relevance to Clinical Practice The findings indicate that these patients must be cared for with a multidisciplinary approach. A person-centred health plan could impact on the dyads feeling of control and thereby making them less dependent on healthcare. Every patient should have their own contact nurse and be offered psychological support. No Patient or Public Contribution Not applicable due to the current method.
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| 10. |
- Lindgren, Anna, 1981-
(författare)
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Incontinence, physical activity, and pelvic floor muscle training in female pelvic cancer survivors after radiotherapy
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Cancer treatment continues to improve, contributing to an ever-growing population of cancer survivors. Pelvic cancer survivors (PCS) constitute the second largest group of female cancer survivors after breast cancer. Many female PCS have been treated with radiotherapy as a part of their cancer treatment. Unfortunately, like all effective cancer treatments, pelvic radiotherapy is associated with a risk of subsequent, unwanted side effects. Some side effects remain or persist long after the end of treatment and some are even lifelong. A common and burdensome side effect after pelvic radiotherapy is urinary and/or fecal incontinence. Incontinence is known to negatively affect quality of life (QoL) and physical activity levels. Physical activity contributes to several positive health effects. In cancer survivors, it may reduce the risk of recurrence and even the mortality risk. Cancer survivors in general, and female PCS in particular, tend to be less physically active after cancer treatment than before treatment. When suffering from urinary and even fecal incontinence, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for the general population. In addition to decreased incontinence levels, PFMT may contribute to increased physical activity and better QoL. However, little attention is given to PFMT as a potential treatment for incontinence in the Swedish national care program for pelvic cancer rehabilitation. Furthermore, there is as yet no evidence that PFMT is as effective in female PCS as in female non-cancer survivors. The effectiveness of PFMT cannot be taken for granted because female PCS survivors often have treatmentinduced damage to structures in the pelvic floor that might affect its applicability. However, the problem of incontinence among female PCS remains, along with the fact that they tend to be less physically active than other cancer survivors. Indeed, this is an important research area and a necessary problem for health-care providers to resolve, not least for physiotherapists.Aim: The overall aim of this thesis is to improve the understanding of female PCS’ experiences of incontinence in relation to physical activity, QoL, and rehabilitative efforts, including PFMT. This includes gaining increased knowledge about the relation between incontinence and physical activity in the form of exercise and QoL, and whether PCS experience that physiotherapy contributes in a valuable way to reducing their incontinence. This could enable the development of meaningful physiotherapeutic interventions, that PCS can and are willing to engage in, to achieve a potential reduction in incontinence, as well as increased QoL and activity levels.Methods: The thesis includes four different studies, using three different methods, all conducted with female PCS. Studies I (n=13) and IV (n=11) are qualitative individual interview studies, using semi-structured interview guides. Study II is a cohort-based cross-sectional observational study (n=578) and Study III is a prospective cohort-based observational study (n=260).Results: Female PCS reported an absence of information regarding incontinence as a potential side effect of radiotherapy treatment. They experienced that incontinence prevented them from being as physically active as before treatment, and that incontinence of urine and feces impaired several aspects of QoL, including sexual health. They lacked potential rehabilitative options beyond conventional pelvic cancer rehabilitation. After practicing PFMT for three months, they found it a valuable rehabilitative measure for incontinence. They also experienced the physiotherapeutic support and guidance as valuable in teaching them how to contract the pelvic floor muscles correctly and providing individual guidance regarding dose, frequency, and progression of the training. In Study II, 67% of female PCS exercised at least once a week, while 33% exercised less than once a week. Women who reported leakage of large or all volume of feces (multivariable analysis) were statistically significantly more likely to exercise less than once a week. A similar co-variation was seen among women who reported leakage of moderate to large volumes of urine (univariate analysis). This, however, was not statistically significant in a multivariable analysis. When exercising on a weekly basis, they reported less frequently depressed mood and better QoL, compared to those who exercised less than once a week. Three months after an individually designed intervention program, in line with the conventional pelvic cancer rehabilitation offered within Swedish healthcare today, female PCS reported statistically significantly lower levels of urinary and fecal incontinence. However, no statistically significant changes in frequency of exercise were seen.Conclusion: Incontinence was a barrier to physical activity and exercise, and it reduced QoL and impaired sexual health in female PCS. When experiencing incontinence, and in particular fecal incontinence, female PCS were less likely to exercise on a weekly basis. Female PCS who exercise at least once a week experienced better QoL and less frequently depressed mood than PCS who were not exercising every week. Female PCS did not exercise more often after conventional pelvic cancer rehabilitation, not even after incontinence levels were reduced. Female PCS had a positive attitude towards PFMT. After at least three months’ experience of practicing PFMT, they found it a valuable rehabilitative effort for incontinence. They also found physiotherapeutic support and guidance to be of great importance. Female PCS expressed a need for better information routines regarding side effects, such as incontinence, after cancer treatment. They also expressed a need for better information routines, including accessibility of additional rehabilitative efforts, beyond the conventional pelvic cancer rehabilitation offered today, when suffering from incontinence of urine and/or feces.
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