A mixed-methods evaluation of a group based trail walking program to reduce anxiety in cancer survivors

Background: Cancer survivorship results in an increased number of physical and psychosocial health issues. Engaging in physical activity in natural environments is often thought of as restorative. Despite the potential benefits of engaging in physical activity in natural environments there are no sustainable community-based programs for cancer survivors that employ this form of physical activity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an 8-week trail-walking (TW) program on anxiety in a population of adult cancer survivors. Methods: The TW program consisted of two trail walks per week for 8 weeks led by a hiking guide. Individuals were eligible to participate if they were 19 years or older, were a cancer survivor, were not on active immunotherapy, and had medical clearance from their physician for physical activity. While 12 participants signed up for the program, 9 participants (N = 9, 8 F, 1 M) completed the program. A mixed methodology included preand-post quantitative program surveys and post-program interviews. Questionnaires measured generalized anxiety, sleep disturbances, self-efficacy, self-esteem, psychological well-being and depression as well as pre-and-post hike state anxiety. Data was analysed using paired t-tests. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and an inductive thematic analysis was conducted to consolidate meaning and identify themes using NVivo 11 software. Results: Average attendance was 74% of the 16 hikes. There was no significant reduction in the primary outcome of generalized anxiety (p = .38). There was a significant reduction in perceived stress after 8-weeks (p = .03) and a significant reduction in state anxiety after TW (p < .001). None of the other secondary outcomes were statistically significant (p > .05). Four overarching themes, or benefits, emerged from qualitative data analysis: (a) benefits of program design (b) physical benefits, (c) psychological benefits, and (d) social benefits. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the utility of a TW program for cancer survivors in order to promote physical, psychological and social health. Feasibility of a TW program would be contingent on access to natural areas for TW and an instructor-led program with other cancer survivors.

Genetic diversity and admixture among Canadian, Mountain and Moorland and Nordic pony populations.

As part of the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada has been investigating the genetic diversity of its native equine and pony populations. Along with examining four indigenous Canadian equine populations (Canadian horse, Lac La Croix pony, Newfoundland pony and Sable Island population), another 10 Mountain and Moorland, three Nordic, four horse and two feral equine populations (thought to have influenced some pony breeds) were also investigated. In total, 821 individuals were genotyped at 38 microsatellite loci. Results of the analysis of molecular variance indicated that 13.3% of genetic diversity was explained by breed differences, whereas 84.6% and 2.1% of diversity came from within and among individuals, respectively. The average effective number of alleles and allelic richness was the lowest in the Eriskay (2.51 and 3.98) and Lac La Croix (2.83 and 4.01) populations, whereas it was highest in the New Forest (4.31 and 6.01) and Welsh (4.33 and 5.87) breeds, followed closely by the Newfoundland-CDN (4.23 and 5.86) population. Expected heterozygosities varied from 0.61 in the Lac La Croix to 0.74 in the Welsh and in Newfoundland. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.57 in the Exmoor and 0.58 in the Sable Island herd to 0.77 in the Kerry Bog and 0.76 in the New Forest breeds. Structure and admixture analyses revealed that the most likely number of clusters was 21, although some substructure was also observed when K = 16, compared with the 24 predefined populations. Information gathered from this study should be combined with other available phenotypic and pedigree data to develop, or amend, a suitable conservation strategy for all populations examined.