Perspectives of Physiotherapists on Immune Functioning in Oncological Rehabilitation in the Netherlands: Insights from a Qualitative Study

Authors Anne M.S. de Hoop, Karin Jäger, Jaap J. Dronkers, Cindy Veenhof, Jelle P. Ruurda, Cyrille A.M. Krul, Raymond H.H. Pieters, Karin Valkenet
Published in Applied sciences
Publication date 2025
Research groups Innovatie van Beweegzorg
Type Article

Summary

Oncology physiotherapists frequently provide care for patients experiencing severe immunosuppression. Exercise immunology, the science that studies the effects of exercise on the immune system, is a rapidly evolving field with direct relevance to oncology physiotherapists. Understanding oncology physiotherapists’ perspectives on the subject of immune functioning is essential to explore its possible integration into clinical reasoning. This study aimed to assess the perspectives of oncology physiotherapists concerning immune functioning in oncology physiotherapy. For this qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were performed with Dutch oncology physiotherapists. Results were analyzed via inductive thematic analysis, followed by a validation step with participants.

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Language Engels
Published in Applied sciences
Year and volume 2025 15, 8673
Key words physiotherapy, cancer, exercise-immunology, clinical reasoning
Digital Object Identifier 10.3390/app15158673
Page range 1-10

Anne de Hoop

Anne de Hoop

Anne de Hoop

  • PhD candidate
  • Research group: Innovatie van Beweegzorg