Experiences of Exercise-Related Worry Among Chinese Childhood Cancer Survivors and Their Carers: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Background: The low levels of physical activity in childhood cancer survivors have increasingly garnered attention from nursing scholars. Exercise-related worry is a prominent barrier, yet the understanding of such experiences among childhood cancer survivors and their primary caregivers remains scarce.

Objective: The aim of this study was to further understand the factors contributing to exercise-related worry from the perspective of childhood cancer survivors and their primary caregivers.

Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted face-to-face semistructured interviews with childhood cancer survivors (n = 20) and carers (n = 20) in 2 hospitals in China. The interviews were analyzed according to thematic analysis.

Results: Two main themes and 8 subthemes emerged: (1) internal factors: changes in the perception of physical activity (threat perception from the disease, active avoidance of stressful events, lack of safety due to past experiences), and (2) external factors: weak support system (limited peer support, family strength, feeling abandoned by the tumor team, reintegration into school, external environmental constraints). In summary, exercise-related worry is from internal factors and can be influenced by external factors.

Conclusion: There are various factors contributing to the concerns of exercise in childhood cancer survivors, which may be a key factor for their significantly lower levels of physical activity compared to guideline recommendations.

Implications for practice: The findings of this study call for healthcare professionals to provide additional assistance for childhood cancer survivors with exercise-related worry and establish personalized mechanisms for supporting physical activity in pediatric cancer survivors within the Chinese healthcare system.