McCormack, Ciara and Kehoe, Brona and Cullivan, Sarah and McCaffrey, Noel and Gaine, S.P. and McCullagh, Brian and Moyna, Niall M. and Hardcastle, Sarah J.
(2023)
Exploration of physical activity knowledge, preferences and support needs among pulmonary hypertension patients.
PLoS ONE.
ISSN 1932-6203
Abstract
Objective
Physical activity (PA) is an established adjunct therapy for pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients to mitigate PH symptoms and improve quality of life. However, PA engagement within this population remains low. This study investigated PH patients’ knowledge of PA, recalled advice, exercise preferences and PA support needs.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 adults (mean age 50 years; SD ±12 years) diagnosed with PH, living in Ireland. Interview scripts were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results
Four key themes were identified: Lack of PA knowledge; exercise setting preference; accountability and monitoring; and clinician delivered PA information and guidance.
Conclusion
This study found that PH clinicians provide suboptimal PA advice, yet patients desired clinician-delivered PA guidance. Home-based exercise was preferred with monitoring and external accountability deemed as important to facilitate sustained engagement.
Practice implications
PH clinicians are well positioned to play a critical role in assisting and empowering PH patients to engage in PA. Providing training and education to PH clinicians regarding exercise prescription may be beneficial. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of home-based exercise interventions to improve quality of life and physical activity in PH.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
physical activity knowledge; preferences and support needs; pulmonary hypertension patients; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Sports Science and Nutrition |
| Item ID: |
19090 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277696 |
| Depositing User: |
Ciara McCormack
|
| Date Deposited: |
24 Oct 2024 12:00 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
PLoS ONE |
| Publisher: |
Public Library of Science |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
Repository Staff Only(login required)
 |
Item control page |
Downloads per month over past year
Origin of downloads
Altmetric
Altmetric