Physical Activity and Stoma Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A physical activity intervention to improve the quality of life of patients with a stoma: A feasibility study

  • IRAS ID

    219548

  • Contact name

    Angus Watson

  • Contact email

    angus.watson@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    NHS Highland

  • ISRCTN Number

    ISRCTN58613962

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Many people with bowel cancer have a stoma and as a result have on-going concerns. These include low energy, tiredness, feeling unattractive, fear of appliance leakage and fear of a hernia. These problems affect their quality of life (QoL) and can dissuade them from being physically active. We know that physical activity improves QoL but we do not know whether we can increase physical activity levels by addressing people’s stoma-related concerns.

    This study will take place in London (urban) and the Scottish Highlands (rural).  About six weeks after stoma-creating surgery, patients will receive weekly physical activity consultations face-to-face with a physical activity specialist at a leisure centre/at home or by video-conferencing (e.g. skype), for a total of 12 weeks. We will find out:
    • How many patients participate and what physical activities they do each week.
    • Patients’, stoma nurses’, and physical activity specialists’ opinions about the physical activity programme.
    • If there are improvements in QoL, function, fatigue and body image.

    This is the first study to find out whether bowel cancer patients with a stoma enjoy a physical activity programme and if it is beneficial. There is great potential to improve QoL by addressing the stoma-related barriers to being physically active.

  • REC name

    North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

  • REC reference

    17/NS/0065

  • Date of REC Opinion

    11 Jul 2017

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion