Facilitators and barriers of attending BaDuanJin experienced by breast cancer survivors during chemotherapy

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 528 - 543
• Main Authors: Hu, Yun, Xie, Yi Dan, Xu, Xiaozhen, Liu, Yanyan, Zhang, Chengrui, Wang, Huiru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 03.03.2024
• Subjects: Barriers; Behavior change; Breast cancer; Chemotherapy; Content analysis; Emotions; Exercise; Group activities; Health beliefs; Health promotion; Interdisciplinary aspects; Limbs; Medical personnel; Motivation; Negative emotions; Social media; Survivor; Tutoring; breast cancer; barriers; facilitators; BaDuanJin; chemotherapy
• ISSN: 0959-3985; 1532-5040; 1532-5040
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2135977

This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to adherence to a Baduanjin program experienced by breast cancer survivors (BCSs) during chemotherapy. Semi-structured interviews with 10 BCSs in an interprofessional BaDuanJin program were conducted to understand their experiences, including the facilitators and barriers concerning exercise. Content analysis was performed following the behaviour change wheel (BCW). The following five domains emerged from the analysis: 1) Capacity: Recovery of upper limb function, symptom relief, and emotional release are facilitators; periodic treatment and related symptoms and negative emotions are barriers; 2) Motivation: Reflection on health, positive belief, and weight control are facilitators; a doubtful attitude is a barrier; 3) Opportunity: Recuperating at home is a facilitator; 4) Intervention: Facilitators include simple and gentle exercise at home, comprehensive tutoring by an interprofessional team, treating exercise as a task occurring at a fixed time, and peer support. The hindrances are work and home duties prior to exercise and a lack of group activities; and 5) Policy: Social media promotion and less support from physicians are facilitators and barriers, respectively. Identifying facilitators and barriers leads to improved support from health professionals, which is required to provide effective strategies to increase adherence to BaDuanJin exercise.