The Experience of Adult Lymphoma Patients Referred for Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

• Author / Creator

  Rothe, Derek J

• Background: Current therapy for relapsed lymphoma includes high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) as part of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This life saving treatment has a 50%-70% cure rate at 10 years; however, patients who undergo HSCT are at an increased risk for both direct (i.e. cardio-toxicity) and indirect (i.e. decreased functional status) negative effects. Due to the known detrimental cardiovascular (CV) effects of treatment, lymphoma patients from a tertiary cancer centre are referred to an eight-week multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program following HSCT. This innovative approach to HSCT patients has not been documented in the literature. Aim: The aim of this qualitative study is to gain understanding of lymphoma patients’ experiences of being referred to a multidisciplinary CR program following HSCT. Research Question: What is the experience of adult lymphoma patients who are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program after treatment with HDCT and HSCT? Methods: A qualitative research approach (interpretive description) was used to guide data collection and analysis. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were collected. Findings: Four major themes highlighting HSCT recipients’ prioritization of CR in recovery; impact of HSCT on the CR experience; coping and resiliency during recovery; and information uptake were found. The experiences of HSCT patients in CR shares similarities to other CR literature, however the added burden of HSCT presents unique experiences that influence patient perceptions regarding CV health and risks. Outcomes: The results of this research will inform and improve the delivery of CR, a necessary and urgent need in this complex patient population. This study allows researchers, program developers, and multidisciplinary care teams to better understand the experiences of lymphoma patients referred to a CR program and adjust program delivery.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Lymphoma
  • Cardiac Rehabiliation
  • Cancer Survivorship
  • Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Interpretive Description

• Graduation date

  Fall 2017

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Nursing

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R38W38J5B

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.