Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Delivering Intra-Infusion Exercise: Healthcare Professionals’ Insights to Inform Future Practice from the EX-FUSION Trial (126079)

Jasmine Yee 1 2 3 , Vu Minh Khue Huynh 2 , Brooke McGregor 3 , Catherine Seet-Lee 1 3 4 , Judith Lacey 4 , Kate Mahon 4 , Kate Edwards 1 3 , Haryana Dhillon 2
  1. Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Campderdown, NSW, Australia
  3. Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  4. The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

Objectives/purpose

Intra-infusion exercise (i.e. exercise delivered during chemotherapy infusion) is a novel strategy to integrate exercise into cancer treatment. The EX-FUSION RCT evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of this approach. This qualitative study explored healthcare professionals (HCPs) experiences delivering the EX-FUSION intervention and their reflections on future program design to inform implementation.

Sample and setting

Participants were those involved in the EX-FUSION trial at a metropolitan hospital in Sydney, and included four exercise physiologists (EPs) and one medical oncologist. Recruitment of HCPs is in progress, limited by the number of personnel involved at the study site.  

Procedures

Semi-structured one-on-one interviews explored HCPs experiences with intra-infusion exercise, their observations of patients, and considerations for future programs. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.

Results

Preliminary analysis identified three themes. (1) Delivering EX-FUSION – HCPs viewed intra-infusion exercise as safe and feasible. However, they encountered challenges with scheduling, and environmental constraints (e.g. limited space, IV lines, tripping hazards, and ice mitts and booties). (2) Observations of Patient Experience - Patients were receptive and motivated, citing enjoyment, social interaction, and the opportunity to be active during treatment. Barriers included treatment-related side effects and challenges in achieving comfortable positioning while cycling. EPs also provided emotional and practical support beyond exercise guidance. (3) Future Program Design – HCPs recommended broader inclusion criteria, clearer safety protocols and better integration with clinical workflows. They highlighted the value of fostering an exercise-supportive organisational culture, securing sustainable funding, and investing in workforce development to support future scale-up.

Conclusion and clinical implications

Healthcare professionals viewed EX-FUSION as a safe and promising addition to cancer care. Their insights offer practical considerations and key areas for refinement, offering valuable guidance for future implementation and scale-up of intra-infusion exercise programs.