Role of work breaks in well-being and performance: A systematic review and future research agenda.

Recovery from work is a critical component for employees' proper functioning. While research has documented the beneficial effects of after-work recovery, it has focused far less on the recovery that happens while at work in the form of work breaks. In this review, we systematically review available empirical evidence on the relationship between work breaks and well-being and performance among knowledge workers. Doing so enables us to (a) integrate studies from multiple disciplines, (b) propose a conceptual framework for categorizing work breaks, and (c) provide a future research agenda for studying the role of work breaks in employee well-being and performance. Using Cochrane's guidelines, we review observational and intervention studies (N = 83). Based on the extant research, we propose that work breaks can be described and classified in terms of five features: initiator, duration, frequency, activities, and experiences. The result of our review is an integrative model that comprehensively captures the relationship between work breaks and well-being and performance outcomes, as well as the mechanisms and boundary conditions of these relationships. We conclude by proposing avenues for the future study and practice of work breaks. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Evaluation of a Health-Based Education and Behavioral Change Retreat on Quality of Life, Physical Activity and Psychosocial Health in Adult Cancer Survivors: An Exploratory Analysis.

Knights Cabin Cancer retreats may represent an ideal opportunity and environment to fill the gap in health education and behavioral change. It is unknown, however, whether the program improves quality of life, physical activity, and psychosocial health. Cancer survivors who enrolled in a retreat completed online questionnaires prior to and 3 months post to assess health-related quality of life, physical activity, and psychosocial variables; perceived stress, depression, and self-esteem. Paired t tests were utilized to compare changes pre and 3 months post the retreat. The majority of the 51 cancer survivors were female with a mean age of 53. The mental component summary of health-related quality of life (p < 0.016) and physical activity score (p = 0.048) was significantly improved at follow-up, while the physical component summary of health-related quality of life was not (p = 0.139). In addition, participants showed an improvement in psychosocial variables of self-esteem (p = 0.016) and depression (p = 0.016) after 3 months but did not show a significant improvement in perceived stress (p = 0.054). Improvements were seen following a Knights Cabin Cancer retreat in mental health-related quality of life and physical activity as well as some psychosocial variables. Further research is needed to evaluate the individual program components and the sustainability of the program in the community.

Letter to the Editor: The development of knights cabin cancer retreats: a community program to engage cancer survivors' proactive health behaviors

Purpose: Cancer survivors often lack the knowledge and skills to return to positive health behaviors following a cancer diagnosis. The use of retreats may be an ideal environment for cancer survivors to learn about health behaviours while receiving social support from other survivors. Methods: Knights Cabin Cancer Retreats was created as a charitable organization in 2014 and is at no cost to participants or their supporters. Elements of the retreat include guided hikes, yoga, classes on nutrition, stress, mindfulness and sleep management techniques, all with a focus on the evidence based theories of behavioral change. Results: Ten retreats have been hosted across Canada to date with 137 cancer survivors and their supporters. Survivors reported that their top learning outcomes from the retreat were physical activity/nutrition and behavioral change/habit development. Conclusion: Knight's Cabin Cancer retreats are unique in their programming with a format of health education that allows for emotional support and engagement with other cancer survivors in a therapeutically natural environment.

Chinese newspaper coverage of (unproven) stem cell therapies and their providers.

China is a primary destination for stem cell tourism, the phenomenon whereby patients travel abroad to receive unproven stem cell-based treatments that have not been approved in their home countries. Yet, much remains unknown about the state of the stem cell treatment industry in China and about how the Chinese view treatments and providers. Given the media's crucial role in science/health communication and in framing public dialogue, this study sought to examine Chinese newspaper portrayal and perceptions of stem cell treatments and their providers. Based on a content analysis of over 300 newspaper articles, the study revealed that while Chinese newspaper reporting is generally neutral in tone, it is also inaccurate, overly positive, heavily influenced by "interested" treatment providers and focused on the therapeutic uses of stem cells to address the health needs of the local population. The study findings suggest a need to counterbalance providers' influence on media reporting through strategies that encourage media uptake of accurate information about stem cell research and treatments.

Determinants of physical activity in young adult cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the determinants of physical activity (PA) in young adult cancer survivors (YACS). METHODS: A survey of 588 YACS in Alberta, Canada, assessed PA, medical and demographical factors, and theory of planned behavior variables. RESULTS: Path analysis explained 38% (P<.001) of the variance in PA with significant contributions from intention, planning, affective attitude, education, and general health. In turn, 56% (P<.001) of the variance in intention was explained by perceived behavioral control, instrumental attitude, and affective attitude. CONCLUSION: PA interventions in YACS should focus on developing strong intentions by targeting perceived behavioral control, instrumental attitude, and affective attitude.

Predictors of adherence to an Iyengar yoga program in breast cancer survivors.

CONTEXT: Despite the known health benefits of physical activity, participation rates in cancer survivor groups remain low. Researchers have attempted to identify alternative modes of nontraditional physical activities that may increase participation and adherence rates. This study investigated the determinants of yoga in breast cancer survivors. AIM: To examine predictors of Iyengar yoga adherence in breast cancer survivors using the theory of planned behaviour. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Classes were held either in Campus Recreation facilities or at the Behavioral Medicine Fitness Center at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. The study was an evaluation of an existing yoga program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three post adjuvant therapy breast cancer survivors participating in a community-based, twice weekly, 12 week Iyengar yoga program were asked to complete baseline measures of the theory of planned behavior, demographic, medical, health/fitness, and psychosocial variables. Adherence was measured by objective attendance to the classes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We analyzed univariate associations between predictors and yoga adherence with independent t-tests. RESULTS: Adherence to the Iyengar yoga program was 63.9% and was predicted by stronger intention (P<0.001), greater self-efficacy (P=0.003), more positive instrumental attitude (Ps=0.025), higher disease stage (P=0.018), yoga experience in the past year, (P=0.044), diagnosis of a second cancer (P=0.008), lower fatigue (P=0.037), and greater happiness (P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to Iyengar yoga in breast cancer survivors was strongly related to motivational variables from the theory of planned behaviour. Researchers attempting to improve yoga adherence in breast cancer survivors may benefit from targeting the key constructs in the theory of planned behaviour.

A survey of physical activity programming and counseling preferences in young-adult cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Few research studies have focused on physical activity in young-adult cancer survivors despite the potential long-term health consequences of inactivity in this population. OBJECTIVE: Understanding the unique physical activity programming and counseling preferences of young-adult cancer survivors may inform future research as well as nursing practice. METHODS: Participants were 588 young-adult cancer survivors (20-44 years old) who completed a mailed survey in the province of Alberta, Canada, that assessed physical activity preferences and standard demographic and medical variables. RESULTS: Most young-adult cancer survivors indicated that they were interested (78%) and able (88%) to participate in an activity program. Young-adult cancer survivors also preferred receiving activity counseling from a fitness expert at the cancer center (49.6%), information by brochure (64%), starting activity after treatment (64%), walking (51%), doing activity with others (49%), and doing activity at a community fitness center (46%). The χ analyses indicated that younger cancer survivors (20-29 vs 30-39 vs 40-44 years) were less likely to prefer walking (P < .001), more interested in receiving information (P = .002), and more likely to prefer receiving information by e-mail (P = .044) or Internet (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Young-adult cancer survivors show interest in receiving physical activity counseling. There were some consistent programming preferences, although other preferences varied by demographic and medical factors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses may play a key role in promoting physical activity in young-adult cancer survivors. Understanding the physical activity preferences of young-adult cancer survivors may help nurses make practical recommendations and referrals.

Physical activity and health-related quality of life in young adult cancer survivors: a Canadian provincial survey.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) in several cancer survivor groups but no studies have focused on young adult cancer survivors (YACS). This study determined the prevalence of PA in YACS and examined dose-response associations with HRQL. METHODS: A random sample of 2,000 YACS between the ages of 20-44 were identified through a Canadian provincial cancer registry and mailed a survey that included the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF36) survey, and several validated psychosocial scales. The primary endpoint was the physical component summary (PCS) of the SF36. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 588 YACS. In terms of PA prevalence, 23% were completely sedentary, 25% were insufficiently active, 22% were active within public health guidelines, and 29% were active above public health guidelines. Analysis of covariance adjusted for important medical and demographic covariates showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful dose-response association between PA and the PCS that spanned 6.3 points (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7 to 8.8; p < 0.001) from completely sedentary to within guidelines. Similar associations were found for the mental component summary scale (p = 0.002), depression (p < 0.001), stress (p < 0.001) and self-esteem (p < 0.001). Associations between PA and HRQL were stronger for YACS that had previously received chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: PA is strongly associated with HRQL in YACS but only half of YACS are meeting public health guidelines and almost a quarter are completely sedentary. Randomized controlled trials examining intervention strategies to increase PA and improve health outcomes in this understudied patient population are warranted.

Development and assessment of a physical activity guidebook for the Colon Health and Life-Long Exercise Change (CHALLENGE) trial (NCIC CO.21).

BACKGROUND: We report the development and assessment of a physical activity (PA) guidebook called Step Up to the Challenge that is being used to support a PA behavior change intervention in a randomized trial examining PA and disease-free survival in colon cancer survivors. METHODS: Content for the PA guidebook was constructed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Expert judges (N = 51) included oncologists, rehabilitation practitioners, colon cancer survivors, and TPB researchers. All expert judges completed the Maine Area Health Education Center checklist for evaluating written health information. A subset of TPB expert judges (n = 11) also assessed the degree of match between the guidebook content and TPB constructs. RESULTS: Expert judges indicated that the PA guidebook achieved desirable attributes for organization, writing style, appearance, appeal, feasibility, and appropriateness. For the TPB assessment, all mean item-content relevance ratings indicated at least a "very good match" between the PA guidebook content and the TPB constructs. CONCLUSIONS: Our guidebook successfully targets the TPB constructs known to influence PA behavior change and contains suitable and appropriate written health information. This guidebook will be an integral component of the behavioral support program designed to determine the effects of PA on disease-free survival in colon cancer survivors.

Pilot evaluation of an Iyengar yoga program for breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: With continual improvements in screening uptake and adjuvant cancer treatments, the number of Canadian women surviving breast cancer continues to grow. Preliminary findings suggest yoga can improve quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors, but few studies have focused on Iyengar yoga (IY). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of IY on QoL and psychosocial functioning in a select sample of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors (N = 24) participating in IY classes completed a questionnaire measuring generic and disease-specific QoL and psychosocial functioning, before and after the 12-week classes. RESULTS: Postprogram questionnaires were completed by 17 participants (71%) who attended an average of 78.9% of the IY sessions. Several indicators of generic QoL improved significantly, including mental health (mean change, +4.2; P = .045), vitality (mean change, +4.9; P = .033), role-emotional (mean change, +6.4; P = .010), and bodily pain (mean change, +4.4; P = .024). Other improvements in QoL and psychosocial functioning were meaningful but were not statistically significant. Findings were further substantiated by participant's evaluation of the program's benefits and motivational value. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study of breast cancer survivors participating in IY, we found improvements in QoL and psychosocial functioning. Moreover, positive program evaluation and motivational profile provide support for the acceptability of IY with breast cancer survivors. Randomized controlled trials comparing IY to usual care and other forms of yoga in breast cancer survivors are warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses may consider IY as a possible intervention strategy to help breast cancer survivors improve their QoL and psychosocial functioning.