Feasibility of Remote Occupational Therapy Services via Telemedicine in a Breast Cancer Recovery Program.

IMPORTANCE: Access to perioperative breast surgery occupational therapy services remains limited in remote areas. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and acceptance of occupational therapy services using a "hub-and-spoke" telemedicine model. DESIGN: Prospective study using videoconferencing to connect the occupational therapist, located at the hub site, with the patient, located at the spoke site. SETTING: National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center (hub site) and affiliated community cancer center (spoke site). The sites are 75 mi apart. PARTICIPANTS: Female breast cancer patients (N = 26) scheduled for breast surgery were asked to participate in telemedicine occupation therapy sessions. Patients lived in a geographically remote region and travelled a mean of 16 miles (range = 3-85) to the hub site. The majority (56%) of the patients had public insurance. INTERVENTION: Perioperative occupational therapy sessions completed through videoconferencing. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Outcome measures were participation in and completion rate for the sessions, number of sessions required to return to baseline, and time interval from surgery to return to baseline function. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the patients who enrolled in the study, 18 completed all postoperative sessions in which functional assessments, exercises, and education were provided. Patients regained baseline function within a mean of 42.4 days after surgery and after an average of three sessions. Patients reported high satisfaction with the sessions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Videoconference telemedicine in breast perioperative rehabilitation is feasible, effective, and acceptable to patients. This study adds to the emerging use of telemedicine for rehabilitative services. WHAT THIS ARTICLE ADDS: This study, by demonstrating the acceptability, practicality, and efficacy of breast perioperative occupational therapy services offered through a videoconferencing platform, supports continued research to evaluate the value of telemedicine. Issues with access to medical care may be mitigated through creative use of technology.

Pilot study of a telehealth perioperative physical activity intervention for older adults with cancer and their caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Older adults undergoing cancer surgery are at greater risk for poor postoperative outcomes. Caregivers also endure significant burden. Participation in perioperative physical activity may improve physical functioning and enhance overall well-being for both patients and caregivers. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of a personalized telehealth intervention to enhance physical activity for older (≥ 65 years) gastrointestinal (GI) and lung cancer surgery patients/caregivers. METHODS: Participants completed four telehealth sessions with physical therapy/occupational therapy (PT/OT) before surgery and up to 2 weeks post-discharge. Outcomes included preop geriatric assessment, functional measures, and validated measures for symptoms and psychological distress. Pre/post-intervention trends/trajectories for outcomes were explored. RESULTS: Thirty-four patient/caregiver dyads (16, GI; 18, lung) were included. Accrual rate was 76% over 8 months; retention rate was 88% over 2 months. Median for postop of a 6-min walk test, timed up and go, and short physical performance battery test scores improved from baseline to postop. Participant satisfaction scores were high. CONCLUSION: Our conceptually based, personalized, multimodal, telehealth perioperative physical activity intervention for older patient/caregiver dyads is feasible and acceptable. It offers an opportunity to improve postoperative outcomes by promoting functional recovery through telehealth, behavior change, and self-monitoring approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03267524.

The value of perioperative physical activity in older patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: With a median age at diagnosis of 70, lung cancer represents an enormous public health problem among older Americans. An estimated 19,000 people age 65 and older undergo lung cancer surgery annually in the US. Older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery are often frail with limited physiologic reserves, multi-morbidities, and functional impairments. Physical function, dyspnea, and quality of life return to baseline slower in older adults compared with younger adults after lung surgery. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we summarize available data about perioperative physical activity interventions that may improve outcomes for older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery. We also review the limitations of existing studies and discuss emerging data on the roles of telehealth and family caregiver inclusion in peri-operative physical activity interventions. EXPERT OPINION: We propose that future perioperative physical activity interventions in older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery should include a comprehensive geriatric assessment to guide personalized interventions. Interventions should be conceptually based, with a focus on enhancing self-efficacy, motivation, and adherence through classic behavior change strategies that are proven to impact outcomes. Finally, interventions should be designed with attention to feasibility and scalability. Exercise programs delivered via telehealth (telephone or tele-video) may improve access and convenience for patients.

Barriers and facilitators of adherence to a perioperative physical activity intervention for older adults with cancer and their family caregivers.

PURPOSE: Perioperative physical activity behavior change in older adults with cancer is complex. Identifying the barriers and facilitators to physical activity before and after surgery can help predict adherence and optimize outcomes. We aimed to determine the barriers and facilitators of adherence to a perioperative physical activity intervention in older adults with lung and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and their family caregivers (FCGs). METHODS: A qualitative analysis of physical therapy/occupational therapy (PT/OT) baseline geriatric/functional assessment and intervention sessions notes were undertaken (N = 34 dyads). Written text documents (N = 6 independent PT/OT notes per dyad) were transcribed into a spreadsheet for coding and thematic analysis. Content analysis qualitative approach was used to identify themes and guide data interpretation. RESULTS: Ten themes for barriers and five themes for facilitators emerged, reflecting barriers to and facilitators of perioperative physical activity adherence. Primary barriers to adherence included comorbid health conditions, physical symptoms, functional limitations, anxiety, other roles and responsibilities, unexpected life events, lack of time and motivation, not accustomed to physical activity, and environment/weather. Facilitators that enabled intervention adherence included physical activity as part of routine, coping strategies, setting goals for motivation, social/family support, and experiencing benefits from walking. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and facilitators to a perioperative physical activity is multidimensional, and focused on social-ecological determinants of health behaviors, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors. Perioperative physical activity interventions for older adults with cancer and their FCGs should integrate strategies to promote self-efficacy, support realistic activity goals, enhance motivation, and optimize social support.