Evidence mapPaperPMID 41275319Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

Oncology nurses' knowledge, perceptions, and perceived barriers related to discussing physical activity with patients with cancer, including older adults.

Schroder Sattar, Michelle B Nadler, Linda Trinh, Kristen R Haase, Sebastian Harenberg, Michelle Hannan, Rana Jin, Sarah Neil-Sztramko, Koen Milisen, Cindy Kenis

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Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Schroder SattarCollege of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada. Schroder.sattar@usask.ca.
Michelle B NadlerDivision of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada.
Linda TrinhFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord St, Toronto, ON, M5S 2W6, Canada.
Kristen R HaaseBC Cancer Research Institute, Cancer Control, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada.
Sebastian HarenbergDepartment of Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University, 4130 University Avenue, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2W5, Canada.
Michelle HannanDepartment of Medical Oncology, Univerity Hospital Waterford, Dunmore Rd, Ballynakill, Waterford, X91 ER8E, Ireland.
Rana JinDepartment of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada.
Sarah Neil-SztramkoDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 2C, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada.
Koen Milisen *Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.
Cindy Kenis *Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCancer and its treatments accelerate frailty in older adults with cancer (OACA). Exercise is safe and beneficial during and after treatment, yet many, including older adults, do not meet current exercise guidelines. The primary objective of this study was to understand oncology clinic nurses' knowledge and current practices regarding exercise discussion and promotion in patients with cancer, including in older patients. The secondary objectives were to: (1) explore barriers to initiating exercise discussion and promotion; and (2) explore the relationship between oncology nurses' exercise behavior, and their knowledge about existing guidelines and exercise promotion practices.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted via REDCap between February and May 2023 involving nurses who practice in outpatient oncology clinics. The survey was developed based on the expert consensus of the study team and was distributed through professional networks. Descriptive statistics and chi-square were used to analyze the collected data.

resultsNinety-seven nurses participated. The majority were aged 41-50 years (38.1%) and 31-40 years (27.8%). Mean years of practice was 13.5 (0.5-45). Many nurses lacked formal training on exercise discussion with patients (57.8%), yet expressed interest in learning (91%). Most nurses (90%) agreed exercise benefits patients during treatment. The majority (75%) reported discussing or recommending exercise to patients with cancer, especially advising patients to stay active during and after treatment. Barriers to promoting exercise included limited clinic time (77.7%) and concerns about safety especially for OACA (72.2%). 37.6% of nurses reported engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic activity. 26.6% endorsed both being quite/very knowledgeable in discussing exercise guidelines with patients with cancer in general and 74.7% reported typically discussing exercise with patients with cancer in general. A statistically significant association was found between nurses' exercise promotion behaviour and perceived knowledge about exercise promotion (p = .01).

conclusionMany nurses agree that exercise promotion is important and consider it part of their scope of practice to discuss exercise with patients with cancer. Although perceived knowledge regarding specific recommendations is generally low, nurses express interest in enhancing their knowledge and participating in diverse educational opportunities. Institutions should prioritize nurse education to support efforts in exercise promotion. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

ExerciseOlder adults with cancerPhysical activity

Identifiers

PMID41275319
PMCPMC12752197

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.