Factors Influencing Patients' Intention to Perform Physical Activity During Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To examine theoretical and medical variables influencing a patient's intention to perform physical activity during hospitalization for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). SAMPLE & SETTING: 54 patients undergoing HCT at the Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio. METHODS & VARIABLES: A longitudinal, prospective cohort design was used. Instruments included the Self-Report Habit Index, tailored to assess exercise habit, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form, and an investigator-constructed survey of intention, attitude, control, and subjective norm toward physical activity. Descriptive statistics, univariate logistic regression, and linear regression were used. RESULTS: Intention for physical activity remained high at all time points. Previous exercise habits were not related to intention. Inverse relationships between symptom distress and the theoretical constructs that influence intention occurred at the critical time points of nadir and discharge during transplantation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses should reinforce physical activity regardless of exercise habits. Symptom distress may influence physical activity differently during the transplantation trajectory.

Tailoring Education to Perceived Fall Risk in Hospitalized Patients With Cancer: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer carry a higher risk for falls, potentially resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and financial costs, as well as lower quality of life. Few evidence-based interventions are tailored to the patient's perception of risk for falls. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of tailored, nurse-delivered interventions as compared to a control group on patient perception of risk for falls, confidence in fall prevention, and willingness to ask for assistance. METHODS: A two-group, prospective, randomized, controlled design was used to test the intervention in a convenience sample of 91 patients on an adult bone marrow transplantation unit. The intervention consisted of video and printed education tailored to the nurse's risk assessment and the patient's perception of risk. Patient's self-reported perception, confidence, and willingness were measured at three time points. FINDINGS: About one-third of patients perceived themselves to be at low risk for falls despite a nurse rating of high risk. A statistically significant difference existed in the proportion of patients who perceived themselves to be at high risk for falls pre- and postintervention (p = 0.01). Results suggest that tailoring education to the patients' perceived risk for falls can help patients become more aware of fall risk.

Perceived health benefits from yoga among breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to describe the health benefits reported by breast cancer survivors following an 8-week yoga intervention. DESIGN: This phenomenological study employed three focus groups with six breast cancer survivors each (n = 18) following the yoga intervention. SETTING: The focus groups and yoga classes were conducted in a large hospital in a midsized town in the Midwest. SUBJECTS: Eighteen female breast cancer survivors who were at least 9 months posttreatment participated in the focus groups following the 8-week yoga intervention. INTERVENTION: An 8-week yoga intervention designed specifically for this population was led by a yoga therapist. MEASURES: A semistructured interview guide was utilized to guide each focus group. ANALYSIS: Interpretative phenomenological analysis methods were employed to explore breast cancer survivors' experiences after participating in an 8-week yoga intervention. RESULTS: The findings revealed that the women in the study found health promoting benefits in the areas of physical health and healing, mental health and healing, and social health and healing. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga may be an important tool in the healing process for breast cancer survivors.