Strategies to improve participation in exercise programmes during chemotherapy: a modified nominal group technique

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Exercise Science
• Patient Engagement

Background:

• Exercise offers significant benefits for managing chemotherapy side effects.
• Despite clear guidelines, patient participation in exercise programs during chemotherapy remains a challenge.
• Improving recruitment, adherence, and retention is crucial for exercise intervention success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve consensus on effective strategies for enhancing recruitment, adherence, and retention in chemotherapy exercise programs.
• To involve key stakeholders, including cancer patients and healthcare professionals, in developing these strategies.

Main Methods:

• A modified nominal group technique (NGT) was employed.
• Participants included individuals with chemotherapy experience and oncology healthcare professionals.
• Three workshops (two in-person, one online) facilitated idea generation, discussion, and voting.

Main Results:

• Informing patients about exercise benefits upon diagnosis was the top recruitment strategy (53% preference).
• Direct oncologist recommendation strongly influenced recruitment (47% preference).
• In-person exercise programs in facilities were favored for adherence (46% preference), while pedometers and weekly check-ins supported retention.

Conclusions:

• This study identified practical strategies to overcome barriers in chemotherapy exercise programs.
• The findings will optimize participant engagement and inform future patient-centered interventions.
• Stakeholder involvement ensures pragmatic and survivor-focused program design.