Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37458858›Full record

SynthesisSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2023

Barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in adults living with and beyond cancer, with special emphasis on head and neck cancer: a systematic review of qualitative and mixed methods studies.

Hannah C Doughty, Ruaraidh A Hill, Andrew Riley, Adrian W Midgley, Joanne M Patterson, Lynne M Boddy, Simon N Rogers, Michelle Maden, Nefyn H Williams

Open access · hybridAbstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
3.9field-weighted citation impact, top 6% 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

17 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. 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
  2. A qualitative study of cancer survivors' exercise behaviour 4 months after a telerehabilitation program.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Trial
  3. Feasibility of a comprehensive supervised exercise program during and after treatment of head and neck cancer: a mixed-methods study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Trial
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in patients with oral cancer during surgical hospitalization: insights from a qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  7. Review
  8. Cultural preferences and compensatory behaviors: a qualitative study of physical activity among Chinese lung cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Review
  13. Healthcare professionals' promotion of physical activity to people living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a cross-sectional survey.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. 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

9 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Hannah C DoughtyDepartment of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK. Hannah.Doughty@liverpool.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0493-6423
Ruaraidh A HillDepartment of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, L69 3GL, Liverpool, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2801-0505
Andrew RileyDepartment of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK.
Adrian W MidgleyDepartment of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, L39 4QP, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6139-4168
Joanne M PattersonLiverpool Head and Neck Centre, University of Liverpool, L69 3GB, Liverpool, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4990-302X
Lynne M BoddyThe Physical Activity Exchange, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 2EX, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7477-4389
Simon N RogersHead and Neck Centre, Wirral University Teaching Hospital, Wirral, CH49 5PE, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5989-6142
Michelle MadenDepartment of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, L69 3GL, Liverpool, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4419-6343
Nefyn H WilliamsDepartment of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8078-409X
University of Liverpool · GBEdge Hill University · GBLiverpool John Moores University · GBWirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePhysical activity can improve health outcomes for cancer patients; however, only 30% of patients are physically active. This review explored barriers to and facilitators of physical activity promotion and participation in patients living with and beyond cancer. Secondary aims were to (1) explore similarities and differences in barriers and facilitators experienced in head and neck cancer versus other cancers, and (2) identify how many studies considered the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on physical activity behaviour.

methodsCINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane (CDSR) were searched for qualitative and mixed methods evidence. Quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and a Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Tool. Thematic synthesis and frequency of reporting were conducted, and results were structured using the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour model and Theoretical Domains Framework.

resultsThirty qualitative and six mixed methods studies were included. Socioeconomic characteristics were not frequently assessed across the included studies. Barriers included side effects and comorbidities (physical capability; skills) and lack of knowledge (psychological capability; knowledge). Having a dry mouth or throat and choking concerns were reported in head and neck cancer, but not across other cancers. Facilitators included improving education (psychological capability; knowledge) on the benefits and safety of physical activity.

conclusionEducating patients and healthcare professionals on the benefits and safety of physical activity may facilitate promotion, uptakeand adherence. Head and neck cancer patients experienced barriers not cited across other cancers, and research exploring physical activity promotion in this patient group is required to improve physical activity engagement.

Indexed as

ExerciseHead and Neck NeoplasmsAdultHealth PersonnelHumansMotivationNeckQualitative ResearchAdherenceBehaviour changeExerciseOncologyPromotion

Identifiers

PMID37458858
PMCPMC10352410
OpenAlexW4384558604

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.