Personalised exercise rehabilitation in cancer survivorship: Findings from a triage and referral feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Screening, triage and referral systems are proposed as efficient, needs-based models of cancer rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the PERCS triage and referral system.

METHODS

Utilising a pre-post design, the feasibility of PERCS was evaluated quantitatively in the context of a physiotherapy-led clinic for patients diagnosed with cancer during COVID-19. Assessments at baseline and 12 weeks (T1) included medical, social and physical activity history; patient-reported outcomes and performance-based measures. Following the assessment, the PERCS system allocated participants to one of three exercise pathways.

RESULTS

Sixty-four participants were recruited over 5 months (25.2% recruitment rate; female n = 39; mean age 61.4 (12.4) years). Almost all participants (90.6%) required support to become more physically active. The majority (n = 43, 66%) were referred to community exercise programmes, and n = 15 (23%) required physiotherapy rehabilitation. Five required medical pre-clearance, and one was re-triaged at 1 week. The mean cost per participant for community exercise services was €107.70. At T1, adherence to physical activity guidelines increased for aerobic (44 to 83%) and resistance (13 to 67%) exercise. Improvements were observed in hand grip strength (x̄ 2.59 kg, p = 0.001), 30-s sit-to-stand (x̄ + 3.7 stands, p < 0.001) and 6-min walk test (x̄ + 37.3 m, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

PERCS appropriately triaged patients to the right level of exercise and rehabilitation for individual needs. Participants experienced improvements in physical activity and physical functioning metrics.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The PERCS triage and referral system is feasible to complete and may support the effective and patient-centred implementation of exercise into cancer care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05615285.