Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40437212›Full record

ArticleJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

Can't I continue to exercise here? Exploring experiences, barriers, and facilitators for physical therapists and survivors of cancer to promote exercise maintenance.

S C Agasi-Idenburg, M M J Joosten, M Hoedjes, L M Buffart, C S Kampshoff, M M Stuiver

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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

4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. 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
  4. 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

6 authors.

S C Agasi-IdenburgDivision of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-5364-086X
M M J JoostenDivision of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-9932-9150
M HoedjesCorps - Centre of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-6887-2882
L M BuffartDepartment of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-8095-436X
C S KampshoffDivision of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-8319-1409
M M StuiverDivision of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.stuiver@nki.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-7794-7767

Funding

Scientific College of Physical Therapy (WCF) of the Royal Dutch Society of Physical Therapy (KNGF) Netherlands 2019-11-14
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMaintaining exercise behavior is crucial for cancer survivors, yet adherence to exercise recommendations remains low. This study explores the experiences and perspectives of community-working physical therapists and survivors of cancer regarding barriers and facilitators that support the maintenance of exercise behavior post-treatment.

methodsA qualitative, exploratory focus group design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit oncology physical therapists and cancer survivors who had undergone physical therapy. The study assessed current physical therapy practices, barriers, and facilitators to exercise maintenance through thematic content analysis Braun and Clarke.

resultsSix focus groups with 26 participants (12 cancer survivors and 14 physical therapists) revealed three main themes: (1) transition challenges from supervised therapy to independent exercise, (2) environmental constraints on exercise adherence, and (3) motivators and supportive factors to help independent exercise. Transition challenges included a lack of knowledge and skills, persistent symptoms, and psychological recovery. Environmental constraints involved prioritizing exercise over work and family and limited financial resources. Motivators and supportive factors included goal-setting, gradual reduction in physical therapy sessions, and building confidence in self-management among cancer survivors.

conclusionsBoth physical therapists and cancer survivors experience challenges in concluding the treatment relationship. The identified facilitators for independent exercise can assist physical therapists in developing effective exercise programs that promote patient independence during and after physical therapy treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Understanding these barriers and facilitators can help tailor interventions that enhance long-term exercise adherence, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsExerciseExercise TherapyNeoplasmsPhysical TherapistsAdultAgedFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedMotivationPatient ComplianceQualitative ResearchCancerExercise maintenancePrimary careQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID40437212
PMCPMC13375871

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.