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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Jan-Dec:23:15347354241237972.
doi: 10.1177/15347354241237972.

Implementation of a Mindful Walking Intervention in Breast Cancer Patients After Their Primary Oncologic Treatment: Results of a Qualitative Study Within a Randomized Controlled Trial

Miriam Ortiz  1 , Maren Luise Schröder  1 , Benno Brinkhaus  1 , Barbara Stöckigt  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Implementation of a Mindful Walking Intervention in Breast Cancer Patients After Their Primary Oncologic Treatment: Results of a Qualitative Study Within a Randomized Controlled Trial

Miriam Ortiz et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer survivors often suffer from diagnosis- and therapy-related long-term side effects, such as cancer related fatigue, restricted stress resilience and quality of life. Walking as a physical activity and mindfulness practice have been shown to be helpful in studies. The aim of this study was to compare the individual experiences and subjectively perceived effects of walking in combination with mindfulness practice with moderate walking alone in breast cancer patients. This paper focuses on the qualitative results of a mixed-methods pilot study.

Methods: Breast cancer patients who had finished their primary oncologic treatment at least 6 months ago were randomized to an 8-week group intervention program of either mindful walking or moderate walking. Within the qualitative study part, semi-structured focus group interviews (2 interviews per study arm) were conducted and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and pseudonymized. The subsequent data analysis was performed by using MAXQDA®.

Results: A total of 51 women (mean age 55.8 [SD 10.9] years) were included in the RCT, among these 20 (mean age 56.7 [SD 12.0] years) participated in the focus group interviews (n = 11 patients of the mindful walking group; n = 9 patients of the walking group). Breast cancer patients in both groups described different effects in the complex areas of self-efficacy, coping, body awareness and self-reflection. While mindful walking primarily promoted body awareness and inner strength by mindfulness in breast cancer patients, moderate walking promoted self-efficacy by a confidence of their body and an easily integrated and accepted way of physical activity.

Conclusions: Study interventions and the study setting triggered processes and reflections on one's own health and situation. However, mindful walking and moderate walking seem to address different resources. This important knowledge may help oncologists and other therapists to assess what type of interventions can best meet the needs and requirements of individual patients.

Trial registration: DKRS00011521; prospectively registered 21.12.2016; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00011521.

Keywords: breast cancer; coping; mindfulness; qualitative research; walking.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Interview guideline.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Codes and Categories. *This code refers to conspicuousness within the focus group interviews such as parts of speech, mood, intonation of what was said, atmosphere and non-verbal behavior. In addition, interaction between the participants are included under this code, for example, reference to each other, initiation and deepening of a topic in the interaction between the participants, weighting of a topic by interview participants. The codes are supplemented and completed by explanatory memos.
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