Purpose: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to explore advanced rectal cancer patients' perceptions of quality of life (QoL) during participation in a pre-surgery structured exercise program.
Methods: Patients (n = 10) participated in repeated semi-structured in-depth interviews which covered four broad QoL domains (i.e., physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being). Patients' personal accounts of QoL were explored prior to (0 weeks), midway (3 weeks), and at completion (6 weeks) of the program. Data were analyzed using strategies grounded in a phenomenological approach.
Results: Participation in the program facilitated positive changes in QoL over time by (1) fostering a greater sense of vitality, (2) cultivating a positive attitude, (3) enhancing social connections, and (4) fostering a strong sense of purpose in life for these patients.
Conclusions: Based on these data, preoperative exercise programs can be effective in promoting QoL among patients diagnosed and treated for locally advanced rectal cancer during a particularly difficult time in the cancer trajectory. Additional research is needed to develop and evaluate implementation strategies to facilitate the delivery of preoperative exercise programs as part of routine care in this population.