Objective
Breast cancer survivors who are physically active have lower recurrence and allcause mortality. Breast cancer survivors often struggle to initiate and maintain
physically active lifestyles. Barriers include psychosocial, environmental, and
musculoskeletal factors. An individualised physical activity intervention, informed by
physiotherapy and behaviour change principles, may comprehensively address
these barriers. This study tests the feasibility of this intervention.
Methods
Following ethical approval and informed consent, stage I and II breast cancer
survivors within 18 months of diagnosis were recruited from a secondary care NHS
breast cancer unit. The intervention used tools combining musculoskeletal
dysfunction, self-efficacy measurement and the COM-B model to allow personal
tailoring of intervention techniques. The feasibility of recruitment, retention,
acceptability and practicality of delivery of the physical activity intervention was
tested using a single arm study.
Results
Nine of 36 (25%) potential participants were recruited. Seven (77%) were retained to
the study end. All participants reported that the intervention was acceptable. Eight
would recommend the intervention and reported that their physical activity level
increased due to the intervention. The intervention was practical to deliver within
routine physiotherapy appointments.
Conclusions
This small feasibility study has promising findings and will now need to be tested with
more participants.