Exercise Barriers and Facilitators for Breast Cancer Patients After Surgery: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to understand the barriers to exercise and facilitators of exercise for up to 4 weeks following breast cancer surgery.METHODS: A descriptive qualitative research method was used in this study. Twelve patients were recruited through purposive sampling immediately after breast cancer surgery.RESULTS: Physical aspects (pain at the surgery site, reduction in the range of motion, and decrease in fitness), environmental aspects (difficulty in movement due to drain, lack of information on exercise), and psychological aspects (concerns about side effects, fear of pain, and fear of injury during exercise) were identified as barriers to exercise. Expectation of positive effects (recovery from surgery, prevention of lymphedema, usefulness for future radiation therapy, prevention of cancer recurrence, and health management) of exercise and social support (hospital education, support from medical staff, and exercise information received via mass media) were identified as facilitators of exercise.CONCLUSIONS: We recognized different barriers to exercise and facilitators of exercise among patients who recently underwent breast cancer surgery. Future exercise intervention studies should consider minimizing such barriers and maximizing the facilitators identified in our study.