Background: The impact of physical activity on function, quality of life and progression free survival of people with incurable lung cancer is unknown. PAL is a randomised controlled trial of a 2-month physical activity intervention in this population, 71 people have been recruited to date.
Aim: To explore people with advanced lung cancers’ experience of the PA program and their perception of its benefits and harms.
Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with PAL participants from one of four hospitals. Interviews were conducted in person or via telephone. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis was used to develop a coding schema of themes identified from interviews. The coding schema was used to code, chart and analyse the data and compare and contrast how patient experiences differ.
Results: Twelve people who had consented to be randomised into the PAL study were interviewed during the 2 (n=7), 4 (n=5) or 6 (n=4) month follow-up visits. All 12 had a diagnosis of advanced, incurable lung cancer, six were male, aged from 48 – 77 years. Seven received the PA intervention and five the control group. Sixteen interviews were completed; four people were interviewed twice (three at 4 and 6 months, one at 2 and 4 months). Walking was the most common PA reports, some participants did a range of activities.
The main themes identified included: empowerment; confidence; independence; physical and mental well-being; and hope. Most important parts of the PA program: support from PA consultants to start exercising; learning how to manage PA and side effects, particularly dyspnoea. Participants reported benefits derived from active anti-cancer treatments as well as PA and it is difficult to disentangle the impact of one intervention from the other.
Conclusions: People with advanced lung cancer are willing to participate in PA and some perceive it enhances physical and mental well-being. They describe feeling hopeful but not expectant about the future. Support from a trained PA consultant was s important to start and maintain PA. Recruitment and follow-up for the PAL study continue.