| Title: |
Implementation of a Group Exercise Program for Survivors of Breast Cancer: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Adaptations |
| Authors: |
Wechsler, Stephen; Singh, Sheel; Gray-Meltzer, Lynn; Snyder, Allison; Comander, Amy; Brunelle, Cheryl; Blythe, Anna; McCarron, Ryley; Schmitz, Kathryn H.; Lyons, Kathleen D. |
| Source: |
Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine ; volume 10, issue 2 ; ISSN 2379-2868 |
| Publisher Information: |
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Description: |
Introduction Strength After Breast Cancer (SABC) is a safe and effective physical-therapist-led group exercise program for survivors of breast cancer. However, implementation outcomes including patient/provider acceptability and how to overcome implementation barriers are unclear. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of implementing SABC in a hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation clinic and characterized program adaptations made to overcome anticipated and unanticipated barriers. Methods SABC was offered as a billable clinical program with the option to provide consent for research activities. Three rounds of SABC were conducted, each with two concurrent groups of up to four participants. Feasibility was determined by enrollment, retention, and, for consented participants, survey completion. Participant acceptability was assessed via survey and one-on-one semistructured interviews. Clinician acceptability was assessed through group interviews after each round of SABC. Program observation, investigator and clinician self-report, and clinician interviews were used to identify and characterize program adaptations. Results Of 38 women referred to SABC, 33 (87%) were approached, and of those, 23 (70%) enrolled. Participants attended an average of 4.2 (standard deviation 0.97) of 5 group sessions. Twelve participants consented to research activities and completed SABC; all (100%) completed baseline surveys, 10 (83%) completed post-program surveys, and 6 participated in interviews. Participant satisfaction scores were high. Qualitative data supported both participant and clinician acceptability while also revealing implementation barriers, including time constraints, challenges enacting/supporting exercise behavior change, and payment. In total, 11 adaptations were made; all adaptations were fidelity consistent. Conclusion SABC can be feasibly and acceptably implemented as a group-based exercise program in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Program adaptations were effective in overcoming ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1249/tjx.0000000000000297 |
| DOI: |
10.1249/TJX.0000000000000297 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1249/tjx.0000000000000297; https://journals.lww.com/10.1249/TJX.0000000000000297 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.A899C0 |
| Database: |
BASE |