How do healthcare professionals perceive physical activity prescription for community-dwelling people with COPD in Australia? A qualitative study

ObjectivesClinical practice guidelines recommend that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be encouraged to increase their physical activity levels. However, it is not clear how these guidelines are applied in clinical practice. This study aimed to understand the perspectives of respiratory healthcare professionals on the provision of physical activity advice to people with COPD. These perspectives may shed light on the translation of physical activity recommendations into clinical practice.DesignA qualitative study using thematic analysis.SettingHealthcare professionals who provided care for people with COPD at two major tertiary referral hospitals in Victoria, Australia.Participants30 respiratory healthcare professionals including 12 physicians, 10 physical therapists, 4 nurses and 4 exercise physiologists.InterventionsSemistructured voice-recorded interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analysed by two independent researchers using an inductive thematic analysis approach.ResultsHealthcare professionals acknowledged the importance of physical activity for people with COPD. They were conscious of low physical activity levels among such patients; however, few specifically addressed this in consultations. Physicians described limitations including time constraints, treatment prioritisation and perceived lack of expertise; they often preferred that physical therapists provide more comprehensive assessment and advice regarding physical activity. Healthcare professionals perceived that there were few evidence-based strategies to enhance physical activity. Physical activity was poorly differentiated from the prescription of structured exercise training. Although healthcare professionals were aware of physical activity guidelines, few were able to recall specific recommendations for people with COPD.ConclusionPractical strategies to enhance physical activity prescription may be required to encourage physical activity promotion in COPD care.

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Personal and social factors that influence physical activity levels in community-dwelling stroke survivors: A systematic review of qualitative literature

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215521993690 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921552199369

Author(s):

Karl R Espernberger ◽

Natalie A Fini ◽

Casey L Peiris

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Factors ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Mobile Community

Objectives: To determine the personal and social factors perceived to influence physical activity levels in stroke survivors. Data sources: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and Embase) were searched from inception to November 2020, including reference and citation list searches. Study selection: The initial search yielded 1499 papers, with 14 included in the review. Included articles were peer-reviewed, qualitative studies, reporting on the perceived factors influencing physical activity levels of independently mobile community-dwelling adults, greater than 3 months post stroke. Data extraction: Data extracted included location, study aim, design, participant and recruitment information and how data were collected and analysed. Data synthesis: Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify meanings and patterns, generate codes and develop themes. Five main themes were identified: (i) Social networks are important influencers of physical activity; (ii) Participation in meaningful activities rather than ‘exercise’ is important; (iii) Self-efficacy promotes physical activity and physical activity enhances self-efficacy; (iv) Pre-stroke identity related to physical activity influences post-stroke physical activity; and (v) Formal programmes are important for those with low self-efficacy or a sedentary pre-stroke identity. Conclusions: Physical activity levels in stroke survivors are influenced by social activities and support, pre-stroke identity, self-efficacy levels and completion of activities that are meaningful to stroke survivors.

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The effects of social distancing and self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic on adults diagnosed with asthma: A qualitative study

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/13591053211012766 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910532110127

Author(s):

Leanne Tyson ◽

Wendy Hardeman ◽

Gareth Stratton ◽

Andrew M Wilson ◽

Joanna Semlyen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Self Management ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Window Of Opportunity ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Physical Activity Levels

This study aimed to explore how social distancing and self-isolation measures, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from COVID-19, affected the wellbeing and physical activity levels among adults diagnosed with asthma. Twenty-seven participants took part across four online focus groups. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants reported becoming more health conscious due to being labelled as vulnerable. Their relationship with the severity of their asthma was altered and they reported making positive changes to increase their physical activity levels. Findings suggest there is a window of opportunity to engage with people diagnosed with asthma to promote beneficial lifestyle changes and self-management.

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Use of pedometers as a tool to promote daily physical activity levels in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

European Respiratory Review ◽

10.1183/16000617.0039-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (154) ◽

pp. 190039 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Matthew Armstrong ◽

Andrew Winnard ◽

Nikolaos Chynkiamis ◽

Spencer Boyle ◽

Chris Burtin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Daily Physical Activity ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Physical Activity Levels

The aim of this study was to examine the use of pedometers as a tool to promote daily physical activity levels in patients with COPD.A systematic review meta-analysis of pedometer physical activity promotion in patients with COPD was conducted. Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched from inception to January 2019. The search strategy included the following keywords: physical activity promotion, pulmonary rehabilitation and daily physical activity. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies were randomised controlled trials reporting pedometer physical activity promotion in patients with COPD.Improvements in steps per day were found with pedometer physical activity promotion either standalone (n=12, mean 0.53 (95% CI 0.29–0.77); p=0.00001) or alongside pulmonary rehabilitation (n=7, 0.51 (0.13–0.88); p=0.006). A subgroup analysis reported significant differences in the promotion of physical activity based on baseline physical activity levels and the type of instrument used to assess levels of physical activity.Future trials should consider the way in which pedometers are used to promote physical activity to inform clinical practice in the setting of pulmonary rehabilitation.

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Validation of the Human Activity Profile Questionnaire as a Measure of Physical Activity Levels in Older Community-Dwelling Women

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.22.3.348 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 348-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alessandra de Carvalho Bastone ◽

Bruno de Souza Moreira ◽

Renata Alvarenga Vieira ◽

Renata Noce Kirkwood ◽

João Marcos Domingues Dias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Human Activity ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Activity Profile ◽

Physical Activity Levels

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Recommendations for 24-Hour Movement Behaviours in Adults with Asthma: A Review of Current Guidelines

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17051789 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 1789

Author(s):

Shilpa Dogra ◽

Ilana Patlan ◽

Carley O’Neill ◽

Hayley Lewthwaite

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

General Population ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Movement Behaviour ◽

Asthma Care ◽

Future Work ◽

Current Guidelines

Background: Many countries have clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for asthma that serve as an important resource for healthcare professionals and inform the development of policies and practices relevant to asthma care. The purpose of this scoping review was to search for CPGs related to asthma to determine what recommendations related to the 24-h movement behaviours are provided. Methods: We searched for the most recent CPGs published by a national authoritative body from 195 countries. Guidelines were reviewed for all movement behaviours; that is, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Results: In total, 82 documents were searched for eligibility and 19 were included in our review. Of these, only 10 CPGs provided information on physical activity; none provided recommendations consistent with the FITT principle, while seven recommended activity levels similar to the general population. None of the guidelines included information on sedentary behaviour. Nine guidelines included information on sleep: recommendations mostly focused on changes to medication to reduce disruptions in sleep. Conclusions: It is recommended that future work be conducted to create comprehensive movement behaviour guidelines accompanied with relevant precautions and strategies to ensure that adults with asthma are able to safely and effectively engage in movement behaviours throughout the day.

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