Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33349064›Full record

ArticleIntegrative cancer therapies

Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Cancer Patients During Oncological Treatments: A Qualitative Study.

Alice Avancini, Daniela Tregnago, Laura Rigatti, Giulia Sartori, Lin Yang, Ilaria Trestini, Clelia Bonaiuto, Michele Milella, Sara Pilotto, Massimo Lanza

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Integrative cancer therapies. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
33citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.4field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

33 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 47 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. A systematic review of patient and healthcare professional perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to embedding exercise in the adjuvant cancer treatment pathway.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Pooled it
  3. Trial
  4. Trial
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Observational
  12. Review
  13. Article
  14. Observational
  15. Article
  16. Milestones and turning points in the experience of physical activity throughout cancer care: a qualitative study to inform physical activity promotion.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023
    Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Review
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Alice AvanciniUniversity of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2439-4799
Daniela TregnagoMedical Oncology, Verona, Italy.
Laura RigattiUniversity of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Giulia SartoriMedical Oncology, Verona, Italy.
Lin YangAlberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada.
Ilaria TrestiniMedical Oncology, Verona, Italy.
Clelia BonaiutoMedical Oncology, Verona, Italy.
Michele MilellaUniversity of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Sara PilottoUniversity of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Massimo LanzaUniversity of Verona, Verona, Italy.
University of Verona · ITMedica (Italy) · ITAlberta Health Services · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAlthough the literature supports the importance of physical activity in the oncological context, in Italy a large number of patients are not sufficiently active.

methodsThe present study aimed to explore factors influencing an active lifestyle in cancer patients during oncological treatments. Semi-structured focus groups, including 18 patients with different cancer types, were conducted at the Oncology Unit in the University Hospital Trust of Verona (Italy). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with content analysis.

resultsAccording to the Health Belief Model, transcripts were categorized into the following themes: benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Patients reported a series of physical, physiological, and psychological benefits deriving from an active lifestyle. The main barriers hampering the physical activity participation were represented by treatment-related side effects, advanced disease, and some medical procedures, for example, ileostomy. Several strategies that can trigger patients to exercise were identified. Medical advice, social support from family and friends, features such as enjoyment, setting goals, and owning an animal can motivate patients to perform physical activity. At the same time, an individualized program based on patients' characteristics, an available physical activity specialist to consult, more detailed information regarding physical activity in the oncological setting, and having accessible structures were found important facilitators to implementing active behavior.

conclusionsOverall, patients have a positive view regarding physical activity, and a variety of obstacles and cues to action were recognized. Considering this information may help to improve adherence to a physical activity program over time, consequently increasing the expected benefits.

Indexed as

ExerciseNeoplasmsHumansLife StyleMedical OncologyQualitative Researchattitudebarriersbehaviorcancerclinical settingfacilitatorsmotivationsphysical activity

Identifiers

PMID33349064
PMCPMC7758643
OpenAlexW3115726655

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.