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. 2017 Mar 28:12:1019-1031.
doi: 10.2147/COPD.S119806. eCollection 2017.

Barriers and enablers of physical activity engagement for patients with COPD in primary care

Maria-Christina Kosteli  1 , Nicola R Heneghan  1 , Carolyn Roskell  1 , Sarah E Williams  1 , Peymane Adab  2 , Andrew P Dickens  2 , Alexandra Enocson  2 , David A Fitzmaurice  2 , Kate Jolly  2 , Rachel Jordan  2 , Sheila Greenfield  2 , Jennifer Cumming  1
Affiliations

Barriers and enablers of physical activity engagement for patients with COPD in primary care

Maria-Christina Kosteli et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Given that physical activity (PA) has a positive impact on COPD symptoms and prognosis, this study examined the factors that both encourage and limit participation in PA for individuals with COPD in a primary care setting from the perspective of social cognitive theory.

Methods: A purposive sample of 26 individuals with a range of COPD severity (age range: 50-89 years; males =15) were recruited from primary care to participate in one of four focus groups. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify key concepts related to their self-efficacy beliefs.

Results: Several barriers and enablers closely related to self-efficacy beliefs and symptom severity were identified. The main barriers were health related (fatigue, mobility problems, breathing issues caused by the weather), psychological (embarrassment, fear, frustration/disappointment), attitudinal (feeling in control of their condition, PA perception, older age perception), and motivational. The main enabling factors were related to motivation (autonomous or controlled), attitudes, self-regulation, and performance accomplishments.

Clinical implications: When designing interventions for individuals with COPD, it is important to understand the patient-specific social cognitive influences on PA participation. This information can then inform individually tailored management planning.

Keywords: COPD; barriers; enablers; primary care; self-efficacy; social cognitive theory.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Personal barriers and enablers. Abbreviation: PA, physical activity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Social barriers and enablers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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