PHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH IN CANCER CARE: MOVING FROM RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
C. Speksnijder1, L. Brennan2, T. Ruitenbeek3, E. Gane4
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
1University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Cancer Center, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2St James’s Hospital, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland, 3Fysiotherapie de Vijfhoek, Deventer, Netherlands, 4University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Learning objective 1: To develop insight into the evidence related to oncology physiotherapy before, during, and after oncological treatment.
Learning objective 2: To understand methodological considerations in studies related to oncology physiotherapy conducted in health services.
Learning objective 3: To expand knowledge about the applicability of evidence for oncology physiotherapy in clinical practice and during education.
Description: Cancer is a leading cause of disease and disability globally, and the incidence of cancer is growing worldwide.1 Cancer and its treatments frequently lead to side effects such as fatigue, weakness, decreased physical function and psychological concerns, which all contribute to a reduced quality of life.2 There is strong evidence to show that exercise can help address these side effects, and a growing body of evidence for the role of physiotherapy-led physical rehabilitation interventions before, during and after cancer treatment.3-5 There is a global need to develop evidence-based rehabilitation programmes for the growing population of cancer survivors.6 However, these programmes are not yet the standard of care worldwide and physiotherapists experience significant barriers to implement evidence-based practice in the field of cancer rehabilitation.7-9Knowledge and discussions of the latest research findings, methods, barriers and facilitators will help physiotherapists apply the evidence to improve their practice and enhance outcomes for cancer survivors. Therefore, the aim of this session is to present the existing evidence for (p)rehabilitation throughout the cancer care pathway, and to engage the audience in the discussion about how they can apply the latest evidence-based practice in their unique, diverse settings. The broad target audience is (oncology) physiotherapists, educators, as well as physiotherapists seeking research translation skills and knowledge in cancer care.
This session will consist of four ten-minute-talks, each focusing on presenting the existing evidence and the ongoing research being led by the speaker’s own team. The speakers will each address a different stage of the cancer care pathway: before oncological treatment, during oncological treatment, and after oncological treatment. Louise Brennan will present the PRE-HIIT randomised control trial, in which she and her colleagues compare a 2-week high intensity interval training programme to standard preoperative care in a cohort of patients with thoracic and oesophageal cancers. Caroline Speksnijder will present the MOVE-FIT study in which the feasibility and patient experience of a physical fitness program during chemo-radiation is studied in patients with head and neck cancer. Elise Gane will present a study conducted at a tertiary hospital, in which science principles are implemented to measure the clinical effectiveness of a 12-week exercise program, how the program was accepted by staff, and how patients felt about receiving physiotherapy via telehealth. Theo Ruitenbeek will present his experience with implementing evidence based (p)rehabilitation cancer care in his private practice. The audience will be prompted to think, and thereafter discuss, their own thoughts and experiences of applying research evidence into cancer care practice, the associated challenges and how they can be overcome.
With current involvement in clinical practice, education, and research, the speakers are well placed to understand the barriers and facilitators to implement new rehabilitation programs and can facilitate discussions on overcoming these challenges.
This session will consist of four ten-minute-talks, each focusing on presenting the existing evidence and the ongoing research being led by the speaker’s own team. The speakers will each address a different stage of the cancer care pathway: before oncological treatment, during oncological treatment, and after oncological treatment. Louise Brennan will present the PRE-HIIT randomised control trial, in which she and her colleagues compare a 2-week high intensity interval training programme to standard preoperative care in a cohort of patients with thoracic and oesophageal cancers. Caroline Speksnijder will present the MOVE-FIT study in which the feasibility and patient experience of a physical fitness program during chemo-radiation is studied in patients with head and neck cancer. Elise Gane will present a study conducted at a tertiary hospital, in which science principles are implemented to measure the clinical effectiveness of a 12-week exercise program, how the program was accepted by staff, and how patients felt about receiving physiotherapy via telehealth. Theo Ruitenbeek will present his experience with implementing evidence based (p)rehabilitation cancer care in his private practice. The audience will be prompted to think, and thereafter discuss, their own thoughts and experiences of applying research evidence into cancer care practice, the associated challenges and how they can be overcome.
With current involvement in clinical practice, education, and research, the speakers are well placed to understand the barriers and facilitators to implement new rehabilitation programs and can facilitate discussions on overcoming these challenges.
References:
- Fitzmaurice C, Abate D, et al. Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration, Global, regional, and national cancer incidence, mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life-years for 29 cancer groups, 1990 to 2017: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study. JAMA Oncol 2019;5:1749–1768
- Silver JK, Baima J, et al. Impairment-driven cancer rehabilitation: an essential component of quality care and survivorship. CA Cancer J Clin 2013;63:295–317
- Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, et al. Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors: consensus statement from Inter- national Multidisciplinary Roundtable. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019;51:2375–2390
- NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Macmillan Cancer Support. Principles and Guidance for Prehabilitation Within the Management and Support of People With Cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support; 2019
- Stout NL, Santa Mina D, et al. A systematic review of rehabilitation and exercise recommendations in oncology guidelines. CA Cancer J Clin 2021;71:149–175.
- Alfano CM, Cheville AL, Mustian K. Developing high-quality cancer rehabilitation programs: a timely need. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ B 2016;36:241–249
- Canestraro A, Nakhle A, et al. Oncology rehabilitation provision and practice patterns across Canada. Physiotherapy Canada 2013;65:94–102
- Dennett AM, Peiris CL, et al. Exercise therapy in oncology rehabilitation in Australia: a mixed-methods study. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017;13:e515–e527
- Brennan L, Sheill G, et al. Physical Therapists in Oncology Settings: Experiences in Delivering Cancer Rehabilitation Services, Barriers to Care, and Service Development Needs, Physical Therapy, Volume 102, Issue 3, March 2022,pzab287.
Funding acknowledgements: The study presented by Caroline Speksnijder was supported by the World Cancer Research Fund International (2016/1632).
The study presented by Elise Gane was supported by the PA Research Foundation.
The study presented by Elise Gane was supported by the PA Research Foundation.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
