Effectiveness of an Integrated Experiential Training Program with Coaching by Nursing Students in Reducing Fatigue and Promoting Physical Activity among Hong Kong Chinese Childhood Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background and Objectives: There is a growing concern about the declining levels of physical activity in childhood cancer patients. Increasing evidence supports introducing exercise interventions since cancer diagnosis to eliminate the impacts of adverse effects and improve quality of life. However, previous exercise interventions are found to be unlikely to change behaviour. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an integrated experiential training program with coaching by nursing students in reducing fatigue, promoting physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial, two-group pre-test and repeated post-test, between-subjects design was conducted. A total of 70 childhood cancer patients who are receiving treatment was randomly allocated to the experimental (N=37) and control groups (N=33). Participants in the experimental group engaged in the integrated program with 28 home visits by the nursing student coaches for a 6-month period. The control group received the same amount of time and attention that mimicked those in the experimental group but not in a way to have specific effect on the outcome variables. Data collection was performed at the time of recruitment, 6 and 9 months after starting the intervention to record participants’ levels of fatigue, physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life by questionnaires. Results: Participants in the experimental group reported statistically lower levels of fatigue, higher levels of physical activity, self-efficacy and quality of life than those in the control group. There were statistically significant mean differences in fatigue, physical activity levels, self-efficacy, and quality of life of participants in the experimental group from baseline to 9 months after starting the intervention. Conclusions: The integrated experiential training program with coaching by nursing students was investigated to be effective in reducing fatigue, promoting physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer patients.