Benefits and Challenges of a Digital Exercise and Mind-Body Program During Active Cancer Treatment: Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perceptions

TL;DR

A digital exercise and mind-body program called IM@Home helps cancer patients manage symptoms and improves their quality of life during treatment.

Contribution

The study introduces a digital integrative therapy program that effectively supports cancer patients during active treatment.

Findings

IM@Home reduced symptom burden and supported self-management in cancer patients.

Participants valued the program's flexibility, accessibility, and community support.

The program offered real-time guidance and tailored content for individual needs.

Abstract

Individuals undergoing cancer treatment often face a high symptom burden that impairs quality of life. Exercise and mind-body therapies have been shown to reduce symptoms but are underused. We developed a digital exercise and mind-body therapy program that effectively reduces symptoms while overcoming in-person delivery barriers. Understanding patient experiences can inform treatment mechanisms and guide digital health interventions in cancer care.

This study aimed to explore patient experiences with Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@Home), a 12-week live digital program delivering exercise and mind-body therapies tailored to the needs of individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

This qualitative study was embedded in a randomized clinical basket trial (NCT05053230) evaluating the effects of IM@Home versus enhanced usual care on symptoms and acute health care utilization in adults with solid tumors undergoing active treatment and experiencing moderate or greater fatigue. Using maximum variation sampling, 20 participants were selected for semistructured interviews. Interviews explored participants’ experiences with the program, its impact on outcomes, unmet needs, and suggestions for improvement. Transcripts were analyzed using a combined inductive and deductive thematic analysis.

Twenty participants (mean age 63, SD 9.6 years; 18/20, 90% female) were interviewed. Five major themes emerged: (1) IM@Home alleviated symptom burden and supported symptom self-management; (2) IM@Home facilitated social support and information exchange; (3) IM@Home offered a flexible, tailored program in a group setting; (4) IM@Home facilitated accessible, cost-effective support; and (5) recommendations for program enhancement. IM@Home was perceived as an accessible, flexible, and supportive program that promoted physical and emotional well-being during treatment.

IM@Home demonstrates a promising model for delivering integrative supportive care during cancer treatment. Findings highlight patient-valued features such as real-time guidance, tailored content, and community support. These insights can inform future implementation, integration into clinical care, and efforts to enhance digital mind-body interventions in oncology.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05053230; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05053230

RR2-10.1038/s41746-024-01387-z