Perceptions of physical activity and technology enabled exercise interventions among people with advanced chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Mary Weber, Emory University; Susan Ziolkowski, Stanford University; Ahad Bootwala, Emory University; Alan Bienvenida, Emory University; Shuchi Anand, Stanford University; Felipe Lobelo, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-11-10
• Publisher: BMC
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2021
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12882-021-02591-9
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: BMC NEPHROLOGY
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 373
• End Page: 373
• Grant/Funding Information: The study was supported by a grant for Applied Pragmatic Clinical Research by the Normon S. Coplon Satellite Grant Committee. Satellite Healthcare is a non- profit hemodialysis provider. MBW and FL were partially supported by NIDDK P30DK111024. Dr. Anand was supported by NIDDK K23DK101826. The funding organizations had no role in any part of the study including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Keywords: Physical activity; SOCIAL SUPPORT; RISK; Exercise; Urology & Nephrology; LIFE; DIALYSIS; Type 2 Diabetes; BARRIERS; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; MANAGEMENT; CKD; LEVEL; Pre-dialysis; Science & Technology
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Background: Exercise improves health outcomes and quality of life in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The numbers of persons with advanced CKD meeting physical activity guidelines however is low. We undertook a qualitative study of men and women aged 36–74 from various race/ethnic populations with advanced CKD not requiring dialysis to describe their experiences and opinions around prior physical activity, motivating factors for and barriers to exercise, and perceptions of exercise-promoting technology and group-based programming designed to improve physical activity levels. Methods: Nineteen persons with advanced CKD not requiring dialysis were interviewed at two high volume nephrology clinics enriched with racial/ethnic minority patients (Emory University and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center). We used thematic analysis to identify dominant themes (n = 4) and subthemes (n = 19) around exercise experience, barriers, motivators, views, and preferences. Results: Four dominant themes and 19 subthemes were identified. The most common motivators to exercise included physical and mental health benefits, appearance, improvement in energy levels, and potential social interaction in group-based programs. Common barriers included health concerns, particularly complications related to other co-morbidities, as well as time and transportation constraints. Participants were skeptical of exercise programs solely reliant on technology. Conclusions: The use of group-based exercise programs may motivate persons with CKD to increase exercise levels, while programs entirely based on technology may be less effective.