Influencing Factors for Physical Activity in People With Head and Neck Cancer

Exploring Influencing Factors for Physical Activity Participation in People With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer - a Qualitative Study

The goal of this qualitative study is to explore influencing factors for physical activity (PA) participation in people affected by an advanced head and neck cancer from the perspective of people affected and their significant others.

Individual interviews will be conducted with people affected by head and neck cancer and focus group interviews will be held with significant others of people being affected to answer the following research questions:

• What capabilities and opportunities for physical activity participation do people with advanced head and neck cancer experience?
• What motivates people with advanced head and neck cancer to be physically active?
• What are recommendations and suggestions for a future physical activity promotion intervention?
• How do significant others view capabilities, opportunities, and motivation for physical activity participation and promotion in people with head and neck cancer?

The interviews will be transcribed verbatim and analysed with a structuring content analysis approach.

see attached study protocol

Inclusion criteria for people with head and neck cancer:

• minimal age 18
• diagnosis of a primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma within the last 24 months
• oral, pharyngeal, or laryngeal cancer stage III or IV
• completed surgery and/or radio(chemo)therapy in curative intent

Exclusion criteria for people with head and neck cancer:

• not having the physical, mental, and cognitive ability to understand, follow and hold a conversation in (Swiss-)German
• treatment in palliative intent
• recurrence of the head and neck tumour (local or distant)

Inclusion criteria for significant others of people with head and neck cancer:

• minimal age 18
• being a significant other (partner, spouse, close family member or friend) of an individual with a head and neck cancer with the above-mentioned criteria
• having the permission of the individual affected by head and neck cancer to talk about their experiences

Exclusion criteria for significant others of people with head and neck cancer:

- not having the physical, mental, and cognitive ability to understand, follow and take part in a group discussion in (Swiss-)German