Paper
Friday, July 13, 2007
Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Health Promotion Program for Persons with Cancer
Barbara K. Haas, RN, PhD1, Gary Kimmel, MD2, and Maureen Lake, MSN, RN2. (1) College of Nursing and Health Sciences, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA, (2) Cancer Foundation for Life, Cancer Foundation for Life, Tyler, TX, USA
| Learning Objective #1: discuss the key elements required to build a health promotion program for persons with cancer that is cost-free to participants. |
| Learning Objective #2: describe the impact of a community-based program of exercise on the quality of life of persons with cancer. |
This longitudinal intervention study was conducted to determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on the quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer. A theoretical model, philosophically congruent with a health within illness perspective and generated by integrating selected concepts from Pender’s Health Promotion Model and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, was used to guide the study. The SF-36 Medical Outcomes instrument was used to measure QOL. Participants were referred by three physician practices to participate in a cost-free, individualized program of exercise at one of three local centers that were unaffiliated with any particular practice or health care institution. Data collection took place at baseline and every three months for one year. Participants (n=251) were primarily female, Caucasian, and included cancer survivors at all stages of different cancer diagnoses. Many participants (40%) were actively receiving treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy). Several participants (17%) required assistive devices such as oxygen, canes, walkers, or a hospital bed. One-way ANOVA analysis supported the positive impact of exercise on QOL as predicted by the model. Significant subscale scores of the SF-36 included: physical function (F=4.54, p ≤. 05); role physical (F=4.43, p
< .05); vitality (F=9.72, p ≤.05); social function (F=5.26, p
< .05); role emotional (F=2.94, p
< .05); and mental health (F=4.73, p
< .05). Scores for the bodily pain and general health subscales were not significant. This research introduces the concept of a cost-free long-term community-based program of individualized exercise as a feasible and effective intervention to improve the QOL for persons with all stages of cancer.