People with advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), receiving systemic therapy with a palliative intent, are at a high risk of developing distressing symptoms related to both their tumour and its treatment. Symptoms of unintentional weight loss and loss Of physical function are prognostically significant, impacting negatively upon quality, of life. This thesis outlines the potential role of palliative rehabilitation, in the form of physical activity and nutritional guidance, in the symptom management of advanced NSCLC. The MRC Guidance fot Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions and Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change steered both the development and implementation of the palliative rehabilitation intervention employed within the study. Study recruitment and retention figures were gathered. In addition patient generated validated outcome measurements, functional and anthropometrical data were collected to assess acceptability and perceived or quantifiable changes in quality of life, function and symptom burden occurring during the six weeks of the intervention and six weeks post intervention. Semi structured interviews with patients and healthcare professionals explored experiences of APRIL; these were thematically analysed. Feasibility of the APRIL intervention cohort study was determined by the ability to recruit participants. Interpretation of findings regarding study feasibility and analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data were limited by low recruitment, issues with the sensitivity of outcome measures and missing data. Many people diagnosed with advanced NSCLC are both willing and interested in engaging in palliative rehabilitation research and that participation led to perceived improvements in physical and psychosocial well-being. The study supports the need for further research into early rehabilitation within this population including health care professionals' attitudes towards rehabilitation, alongside cancer treatment which is delivered with palliative intent.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:669231 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Payne, Cathy |
| Publisher | Ulster University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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