Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

BackgroundDespite the well-grounded benefits of physical activity (PA), poor compliance with the PA guidelines has been reported among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Mobile health (mHealth)-based interventions can help cancer survivors increase their PA levels and increase the reach or efficie...

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Main Authors: Yan Ning, Zhen Dong, Zehuan Jia, Wenting Zhao, Yongxia Ding, Qian Wang, Ruifang Zhu, Shifan Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260804/full
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author Yan Ning
Zhen Dong
Zehuan Jia
Wenting Zhao
Yongxia Ding
Yongxia Ding
Qian Wang
Ruifang Zhu
Ruifang Zhu
Shifan Han
Shifan Han
author_facet Yan Ning
Zhen Dong
Zehuan Jia
Wenting Zhao
Yongxia Ding
Yongxia Ding
Qian Wang
Ruifang Zhu
Ruifang Zhu
Shifan Han
Shifan Han
author_sort Yan Ning
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundDespite the well-grounded benefits of physical activity (PA), poor compliance with the PA guidelines has been reported among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Mobile health (mHealth)-based interventions can help cancer survivors increase their PA levels and increase the reach or efficiency of rehabilitation services. However, there is limited knowledge about the needs and perceptions of HNC patients regarding these interventions. This study explored the perceptions and needs of HNC patients regarding mHealth-based PA programs before developing such interventions to ensure their improved effectiveness.Study designA constructivist qualitative study.MethodsWe purposively selected 17 adult HNC patients aged 40–80 years to determine their needs and perceptions of future mHealth-based PA programs. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed via thematic analysis. The report followed the Consolidated Criteria for Qualitative Research Reports guidelines.ResultsFour themes were analyzed from the interview transcripts regarding the needs and perceptions of mHealth-based PA programs: (1) functionality needs; (2) system usage requirements; (3) social support; and (4) perceived barriers and facilitators. HNC patients expect highly customized and specialized mHealth interventions that consider individual factors, address their concerns about security, network, and cost, and prefer improved comfort. Moreover, they expect to receive support from their healthcare providers, families, and peers.ConclusionThe study provides pragmatic ready-to-use recommendations to design interventions for inactive HNC patients to achieve the recommended PA levels. Future mHealth interventions should be tailored according to the needs of the HNC patients by utilizing perceived facilitators and removing perceived barriers to help them engage in PA actively.
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spelling doaj.art-71dc3364dd1d47eaba2b4a9ff09050e92023-11-23T16:14:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-11-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.12608041260804Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative studyYan Ning0Zhen Dong1Zehuan Jia2Wenting Zhao3Yongxia Ding4Yongxia Ding5Qian Wang6Ruifang Zhu7Ruifang Zhu8Shifan Han9Shifan Han10School of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Cancer, Taiyuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaEditorial Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaEditorial Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, ChinaBackgroundDespite the well-grounded benefits of physical activity (PA), poor compliance with the PA guidelines has been reported among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Mobile health (mHealth)-based interventions can help cancer survivors increase their PA levels and increase the reach or efficiency of rehabilitation services. However, there is limited knowledge about the needs and perceptions of HNC patients regarding these interventions. This study explored the perceptions and needs of HNC patients regarding mHealth-based PA programs before developing such interventions to ensure their improved effectiveness.Study designA constructivist qualitative study.MethodsWe purposively selected 17 adult HNC patients aged 40–80 years to determine their needs and perceptions of future mHealth-based PA programs. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed via thematic analysis. The report followed the Consolidated Criteria for Qualitative Research Reports guidelines.ResultsFour themes were analyzed from the interview transcripts regarding the needs and perceptions of mHealth-based PA programs: (1) functionality needs; (2) system usage requirements; (3) social support; and (4) perceived barriers and facilitators. HNC patients expect highly customized and specialized mHealth interventions that consider individual factors, address their concerns about security, network, and cost, and prefer improved comfort. Moreover, they expect to receive support from their healthcare providers, families, and peers.ConclusionThe study provides pragmatic ready-to-use recommendations to design interventions for inactive HNC patients to achieve the recommended PA levels. Future mHealth interventions should be tailored according to the needs of the HNC patients by utilizing perceived facilitators and removing perceived barriers to help them engage in PA actively.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260804/fullhead and neck cancermHealthphysical activityUTAUTqualitative study
spellingShingle Yan Ning
Zhen Dong
Zehuan Jia
Wenting Zhao
Yongxia Ding
Yongxia Ding
Qian Wang
Ruifang Zhu
Ruifang Zhu
Shifan Han
Shifan Han
Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study
Frontiers in Public Health
head and neck cancer
mHealth
physical activity
UTAUT
qualitative study
title Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study
title_full Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study
title_short Development of mobile health-based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study
title_sort development of mobile health based interventions to promote physical activity in patients with head and neck cancer a qualitative study
topic head and neck cancer
mHealth
physical activity
UTAUT
qualitative study
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260804/full
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