How Do Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Value Physical Activity and Exercise?

Patel, Harshida

Tuesday, 23 July 2013: 3:50 PM

Harshida Patel, PhD, RN, Senior Lecturer
Institution of Health Care and Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CHFN, NE-BE, FAHA, FCCM
Nursing Research and Innovation and CNS , Kaufman Center for Heart failure, Nursing research and innovation, Clevlenad, OH 44195, OH
Mats Börjesson, FESC
Swedish school of Sports and Health sciences, Karolinska University hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Learning Objective 1: Understand subjective belief themes for participation level in PA/E by patients with chronic heart failure.

Learning Objective 2: To describe specific subjective views of patients, that may promote future interventions and research.

Purpose: Regular physical activity (PA) and exercise (E) have beneficial effects in patients with CHF, but personal value remains largely unexplored and may explain non-adherence to activity. The purpose of the present study was to explore the values patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) place on PA/E.

Methods: This study is a part of mixed method study exploring predictors of PA/E in ambulatory patients with CHF. Semi-structured interviews were completed in 90 patients; 59% male; mean age (SD) 71(11, 8) years; CHF duration 40 (50) months. The New York Heart Association functional class distribution was I (26%), II (42%) and III (32%). NViVo 9,0 software was used to assist in the qualitative analysis process to identify codes and categories. Values were defined as deeply held beliefs used to assess and justify participation in PA/E.

Results: Ambulatory patients with stable CHF assigned dignity and independence as the main positive values of PA/E. Other positive PA/E values that emerged were related to physiological, social, functional and psychological factors: for example, improved homodynamic, fitness, well-being, feeling healthier, and having more endurance and intellectual satisfaction, self-confidence, guilt avoidance, calmness and undefined sense of “feel good”. Characteristics related to negative value of PA/E were uncertainty and fear, laziness and time consumption.

Conclusion: Values for PA/E were related to physiologic, social, functional and psychological domains and encompassed both positive and negative characteristics. Further research is needed to determine if interventions that alter personal value of PA/E improve adherence.

Learning objectives: To 1) understand subjective belief themes for participation level in PA/E by patients with CHF and 2) describe specific subjective views of patients, that may promote future interventions and research.

Key words: Chronic heart failure; Physical activity; Exercise; Values; Adherence

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