Feasibility of a community-based physiotherapy program for cancer patients during and after treatments in saguenay-lac-saint-jean

Background Physical impairments cause an important functional decline in patient with cancer and survivor. Despite a profound need for physical therapy, many people are unable to access the required services due, in part, to the limited availability of cancer physical therapy programs. The model of community-based rehabilitation presents an opportunity to increase access to outpatient physiotherapy services in Saguenay- Lac-St-Jean. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a 10-weeks physical therapy program for cancer patients and survivor in the local community. Method A pre-post study was conducted using Bowen’s framework to measure the feasibility of a 10-weeks personalized physical therapy program. Feasibility outcomes focused on demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality and limited-ef cacity. Limited- ef cacity testing was done intra-group from paired comparisons of pre- and post- intervention by calculating mean differences and 95% con dence intervals for normally distributed data or mean and sum of ranks for non-normally distributed data. Results Over 19 months, thirty-one people were contacted and eighteen people completed the program [Mean age 54.54 (SD 12.16)]. The most frequent reasons to explain demand for our program were low muscle endurance, weak muscles, range of motion restrictions, reduced functional capacity, poor sleep quality and pain. Participant attended 94.3% of scheduled appointments. Existing equipment of the not-for- pro t physiotherapy clinic of University of Quebec in Chicoutimi were used to run the program in the community setting. Participants reported high satisfaction and there were no major adverse events. Main barriers to project included COVID-19 restrictions and participants motivation. Participants made gains in pain, functional capacity, muscle strength and walk distance. Conclusions A 10-weeks personalized physical therapy program in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean community is feasible and safe to improve the physical function and relieve the pain in cancer patients and survivors.