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Individual experiences following a 6-month exercise intervention: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:Dropout is a common problem in various exercise interventions. The individual's experience is believed to greatly impact dropout, yet little is known about the individual experiences of taking part in exercise interventions. The aim of this study was to examine individuals' experiences following a self-determination theory-based exercise intervention in order to gain understanding of how standardized interventions can be adjusted to fit individuals' specific needs, capacities, and circumstances. METHODS:A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was conducted with eight informants (three male and five female) aged between 26 and 47 years, whom all had participated in a 6-month exercise intervention with individual coaching based on self-determination theory and motivational interviewing. The interviews were analyzed thematically with an inductive approach. RESULTS:Aspects that influenced the informants' motivation and participation in the exercise intervention were linked to three themes: the frames of the intervention, measurable changes, and the individual's context. The themes present information about the process and to what extent the informants felt that the intervention was adapted to fit their lives and needs. CONCLUSIONS:This study emphasizes the importance of individualizing exercise interventions to support individuals' diverse capacities and psychological needs.

SUBMITTER: Kerkela ES

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4539384 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Individual experiences following a 6-month exercise intervention: A qualitative study.

Kerkelä Ellen Staveborg ES Jonsson Linus L Lindwall Magnus M Strand Jennifer J

International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being 20150814

<h4>Purpose</h4>Dropout is a common problem in various exercise interventions. The individual's experience is believed to greatly impact dropout, yet little is known about the individual experiences of taking part in exercise interventions. The aim of this study was to examine individuals' experiences following a self-determination theory-based exercise intervention in order to gain understanding of how standardized interventions can be adjusted to fit individuals' specific needs, capacities, an ...[more]

PMID: 26282865

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Project description:BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition. Exercise is a recommended treatment because of its effectiveness at improving pain and function. However, exercise is underutilized in OA management. Difficulty accessing health care has been identified as a key barrier to exercise uptake. Innovative and scalable methods of delivering exercise treatments to people with knee OA are needed. We developed a self-directed eHealth intervention to enable and encourage exercise participation. The effectiveness of this intervention on pain and function in people with knee OA is being evaluated in a randomized clinical trial.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the attitudes and experiences of people with knee OA who accessed the self-directed eHealth intervention and the features perceived as useful to facilitate self-directed exercise.MethodsThis was a qualitative study embedded within a randomized controlled trial. Individual, semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 16 people with knee OA who had accessed a 24-week eHealth intervention (website and behavior change SMS program) designed to support exercise participation. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed using an inductive approach.ResultsFive themes arose: (1) technology easy to use and follow (website ease of use, SMS ease of use), (2) facilitators to exercise participation (credible OA and exercise information, website features, prescribed exercises simple to do unsupervised, freedom to adapt the exercise to suit needs, influence of other health care experiences), (3) sense of support and accountability (SMS good reminder and prompt, accountable, SMS tone and automation could trigger negative emotions [eg, guilt or shame], inability to contact someone when needed), (4) positive outcomes (knee symptom improvements, confidence to self-manage, encouraged active living), (5) suggestions for real-world application (provided by a health professional preferred, should be provided at subsidized or low out-of-pocket cost).ConclusionsPeople with knee OA had mostly positive experiences with and attitudes towards the use of an eHealth intervention that supported exercise participation independent of a health professional. A human connection associated with the eHealth intervention appeared important.

Project description:BackgroundWomen's experience of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is associated with mental illness which may not be addressed by domestic violence advocacy. The study aimed to compare the experiences of women receiving a psychological intervention with women receiving usual advocacy in a randomized controlled trial (PATH: Psychological Advocacy Towards Healing), to illuminate the trial results by exploring women's experiences of benefits and difficulties.MethodsA qualitative study nested within the PATH trial, based in two DVA agencies in the UK. A purposive sample of thirty-one intervention and usual care participants were interviewed up to three interviews over a year. Thematic analysis was carried out, incorporating concepts from the Trans-Theoretical Model of change.FindingsThe PATH trial reports a clinically relevant improvement in mental health outcomes for women receiving the intervention compared to usual advocacy. The qualitative study reveals which elements of the intervention were beneficial or problematic, which outcomes were most meaningful and relevant to participants and highlights reasons for variations in adherence. Women valued the educational, psychological and emotional elements of the intervention, they felt safe to explore repressed emotions for the first time and experienced a reduction in self-blame, improved sense of identity and greater self-esteem. They also incorporated new skills and self-help techniques to enable sustainable change. Women receiving usual advocacy reported un-met needs for psychological and emotional support. Adherence was affected by women's 'psychological 'readiness' to engage, the competing demands of practical issues such as housing insecurity, legal proceedings or the availability of child care, and breaks in the continuity of professional care.ConclusionsContinuity and regularity of sessions with a trained specialist worker was key to women's recovery. Individual assessment of 'readiness' would optimise the timing of delivery to maximise adherence and benefit.

Project description:Background:Many children in low and middle income countries (LMIC) are exposed to trauma. Contact with public services are a potential influence on parent-child reactions and coping post-trauma. Little is known about how caregivers perceive these interactions. Methods:The aim of this study was to explore caregivers' experiences of accessing and interacting with public services post-trauma and perceptions of needed improvements to public services in a LMIC context. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 female caregivers from a high-risk settlement in South Africa after child trauma exposure. Results:Three themes and seven sub-themes were identified regarding caregivers' perceptions of interactions with public services post-trauma. The key themes identified related to (1) communication and exchanges with law enforcement, (2) consequences of an under-resourced justice system and (3) importance of communication and empathy in the healthcare system. Interactions with police were often positive. However, caregivers explained that police-family communication post-trauma could be improved and may help to lessen caregiver anxiety and concerns for the child's safety post-trauma. Caregivers perceived the judicial system to be under-resourced as contact with the judicial system was often protracted and caused child anxiety and distress. Medical treatment was reportedly rushed, with extensive waiting times and little information provided to caregivers regarding the child's injuries or treatment. Some medical staff were perceived as unsympathetic during the child's treatment which was found to exacerbate caregiver and child distress post-trauma. Conclusions:This study provides insight into caregiver experiences of accessing public services following child trauma exposure in a high-risk LMIC context. Public services were perceived as oversubscribed and under-resourced and negative interactions often influenced caregiver responses and appraisals of child safety. Given the impact of poor interactions with public services on families post-trauma, additional research is needed to investigate feasible improvements to public services in LMIC.

Project description:ObjectivesCraniosynostosis is typically diagnosed and surgically corrected within the first year of life. The diagnosis and surgical correction of the condition can be a very stressful experience for families. Despite this, there is little research exploring the impact that craniosynostosis has on families, especially in the period immediately following diagnosis and correction. In this study, the authors aimed to qualitatively examine the psychosocial experience of families with a child diagnosed with craniosynostosis.DesignQualitative study.SettingTertiary care paediatric health centre.ParticipantsMothers of children newly diagnosed with single-suture, non-syndromic craniosynostosis.InterventionSemistructured interviews regarding parental experience with the initial diagnosis, their decision on corrective surgery for their child, the operative experience, the impact of craniosynostosis on the family and the challenges they encountered throughout their journey.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThematic analysis, a type of qualitative analysis that provides an in-depth account of participant's experiences, was used to analyse the interview data.ResultsOver a 4-year period, 12 families meeting eligibility criteria completed the study. Three main themes (six subthemes) emerged from the preoperative interviews: frustration with diagnostic delays (parental intuition and advocacy, hope for improved awareness), understanding what to expect (healthcare supports, interest in connecting with other families) and justifying the need for corrective surgery (influence of the surgeon, struggle with cosmetic indications). Two main themes (four subthemes) were drawn from the postoperative interviews: overcoming fear (the role of healthcare professionals, transition home) and relief (reduction in parental anxiety, cosmetic improvements).ConclusionsOverall, the diagnosis of craniosynostosis has a profound impact on families, leading them to face many struggles throughout their journey. A better understanding of these experiences will help to inform future practice, with a hope to improve this experience for other families moving forward.

Project description:ObjectivesTo explore service-user and provider experience of the acceptability and value of the Let's Prevent Diabetes programme, a pragmatic 6-hour behavioural intervention using structured group education, introduced into primary care practice.DesignQualitative interview-based study with thematic analysis.SettingPrimary care and community.ParticipantsPurposeful sample of 32 participants, including 22 people at high risk of diabetes who either attended, defaulted from or declined the intervention; and 10 stakeholder professionals involved in implementation.ResultsParticipants had low prior awareness of their elevated risk and were often surprised to be offered intervention. Attenders were commonly older, white, retired and motivated to promote their health; who found their session helpful, particularly for social interaction, raising dietary awareness, and convenience of community location. However attenders highlighted lack of depth, repetition within and length of session, difficulty meeting culturally diverse needs and no follow-up as negative features. Those who defaulted from, or who declined the intervention were notably apprehensive, uncertain or unconvinced about whether they were at risk of diabetes; sought more specific information about the intervention, and were deterred by its group nature and day-long duration, with competing work or family commitments. Local providers recognised inadequate communication of diabetes risk to patients. They highlighted significant challenges for implementation, including resource constraints, and facilitation at individual general practice or locality level.ConclusionsThis pragmatic diabetes prevention intervention was acceptable in practice, particularly for older, white, retired and health-motivated people. However, pre-intervention information and communication of diabetes risk should be improved to increase engagement and reduce potential fear or uncertainty, with closer integration of services, and more appropriate care pathways, to facilitate uptake and follow-up. Further development of this, or other interventions, is needed to enable wider, and more socially diverse, engagement of people at risk. Balancing a locality and individual practice approach, and how this is resourced are considerations for long-term sustainability.

Project description:PurposeLong Covid syndrome is a multiorgan condition with multiple sequelae affecting quality of life, capacity to work and daily activities. The advantages that new technologies can offer are presented as an opportunity in the current healthcare framework.ObjectiveThis research aimed to explore people with Long Covid's experiences with a digital physiotherapy practice intervention, during four weeks.MethodsQualitative semistructured interviews were conducted by video call. Thirty-two Long Covid participants were invited to join an in-depth interview once the intervention was completed. Participants were queried on their intervention experiences and perceptions, as well as any lifestyle changes made, as a result of receiving digital physiotherapy practice. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.ResultsIn-depth qualitative analysis has revealed four themes that reflect participants' perceptions of digital physiotherapy intervention. The helpfulness of the exercises, interaction with the physiotherapist, the domestic use of technology and the future of digital health practice were the topics highlighted by Long Covid participants. Some improvements have been suggested including video sounds and the need to introduce face-to-face sessions. Participants stated that interventions were helpful and superior to printed exercise sheets, mobile phone apps and usual care received. This intervention did not present major barriers, highlighting the importance of personalized care and continuity in the provision of health services.ConclusionThe digital physiotherapy practice is perceived by people with Long Covid as an appropriate method for the care of their health needs. Participants stated the need for this type of intervention in the public health system, where it would eliminate waiting lists, facilitate accessibility and improve existing care.Patient and public contributionParticipants contributed to the interpretation of the data acquired in the interview.Clinical trial registrationTrial registration NCT04742946.

Dataset Information

Individual experiences following a 6-month exercise intervention: A qualitative study.

Publications

Individual experiences following a 6-month exercise intervention: A qualitative study.

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