scholarly journals Southwest Harvest for Health: An Adapted Mentored Vegetable Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2319
Author(s):  
Cindy K. Blair ◽  
Prajakta Adsul ◽  
Dolores D. Guest ◽  
Andrew L. Sussman ◽  
Linda S. Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Master Gardener ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Extension System ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Vegetable Gardening ◽  
Growing Conditions

Harvest for Health is a home-based vegetable gardening intervention that pairs cancer survivors with Master Gardeners from the Cooperative Extension System. Initially developed and tested in Alabama, the program was adapted for the different climate, growing conditions, and population in New Mexico. This paper chronicles the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of “Southwest Harvest for Health”. During the nine-month single-arm trial, 30 cancer survivor-Master Gardener dyads worked together to establish and maintain three seasonal gardens. Primary outcomes were accrual, retention, and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were vegetable and fruit (V and F) intake, physical activity, and quality of life. Recruitment was diverse and robust, with 30 survivors of various cancers, aged 50–83, roughly one-third minority, and two-thirds females enrolled in just 60 days. Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, retention to the nine-month study was 100%, 93% reported “good-to-excellent” satisfaction, and 87% “would do it again.” A median increase of 1.2 servings of V and F/day was documented. The adapted home-based vegetable gardening program was feasible, well-received, and resulted in increased V and F consumption among adult cancer survivors. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this program and to inform strategies to increase the successful implementation and further dissemination of this intervention.

scholarly journals Spirituality and Gratitude as Predictors of the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ms. Alvita de Souza ◽  
Dr. Shanmukh V. Kamble
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Stage 1

The present study was designed to: (a) determine whether there is empirical support for a relationship between Gratitude and Spirituality in Quality of Life, (b) provide an estimate of the strength of this relationship, and (c) examine whether Spirituality and Gratitude is a predictor of quality of life. Stage 1 and Stage 2 Cancer patients were employed for this study. The sample for the study consisted of 397 Cancer patients aged between 36 to 67 years. The Spirituality Scale, Gratitude Scale and the Quality of Life for Adult Cancer Survivors were administered on the participants. Results supported previous research that Spirituality and Gratitude were positively correlated to Quality of life. It was also was a significant predictor in Quality of Life in Cancer Patients. The implication of this study is that Spirituality and Gratitude as a paradigm can be used to improve the Quality of life particularly for those who report very poor health while suffering from Cancer or are at the end of their life with disease.

scholarly journals The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors’ Quality of Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayah M. Liska ◽  
Angie Kolen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors

Abstract Purpose: As a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many cancer survivors experience persistent physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that affect their quality of life. Physical activity has been identified as an intervention that may help to manage the side effects of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on overall quality of life in adult cancer survivors. Methods: One-on-one semi structured interviews were conducted in person or via telephone with 13 adult (≥18 yrs) cancer survivors who had completed cancer treatment. Results: These cancer survivors described their physical activity as improving their physical functioning and mental health, as a means of positive social engagement, and adding positivity to their daily life. Conclusion: These results support the role of physical activity to enhance cancer survivors’ quality of life regardless of the individuals’ treatment(s) type, duration, or time since the end of active cancer treatment. Further research is warranted to (a) expand this research with a larger sample, (b) examine healthcare providers’ knowledge and application of exercise guidelines to cancer survivors in cancer care, and (c) explore implementation strategies for greater advocacy for healthcare providers to share the exercise recommendations with cancer survivors.

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