Background: Exercise in oncology populations can improve patient outcomes and alleviate side effects. Encouraging physical activity whilst a hospital inpatient prevents functional decline prevents deconditioning. Barriers to participation in exercise include; motivation, fatigue and side effects. To our knowledge there is no literature identifying barriers to participation in an inpatient oncology setting.
Aim: To report inpatient exercise class attendance rates and analyse reasons for non-attendance in an acute oncology setting.
Method: An observational prospective cohort study design was used to collect data on reasons for exercise class non-attendance between October and December 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to report attendances and chi-square was used to analyse differences between wards for attendance rates and reasons for non-attendance.
Results: 570 inpatient attendances were scheduled from (n (%)) medical (178 (31)), surgical (155 (27)), haematology (237 (42)) wards. Overall attendance rate was 50% (284/570).
No statistically significant differences in attendance between wards (chi square=5.09, p=0.08; medical 53%, surgical 55%, haematology 44%). Main reasons for non-attendances were (% (n)): unwilling to participate 27% (76), conflicting appointments 18% (51), patient feeling unwell 17% (49), deemed inappropriate by staff 15% (42) and haematological parameters contraindicating participation 14% (40). There were significant differences for non-attendance on the haematology ward (chi-square = 53.6, p<0.001) with increased non-attendances for haematological parameter contraindications (27% versus 5% and 0% for medical and surgical respectively).
Conclusion: The greatest barrier to participation was unwillingness to participate. Education for inpatients regarding benefits of exercise may improve participation.