Version 1
: Received: 21 May 2024 / Approved: 23 May 2024 / Online: 24 May 2024 (08:07:16 CEST)
How to cite:
Ahern, L.; Timmons, S.; Lamb, S. E.; McCullagh, R. “Exercise….to Me, It’s Freedom”: Motivation, Support, and Self-Management to Keep Physically Active with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study. Preprints2024, 2024051594. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1594.v1
Ahern, L.; Timmons, S.; Lamb, S. E.; McCullagh, R. “Exercise….to Me, It’s Freedom”: Motivation, Support, and Self-Management to Keep Physically Active with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study. Preprints 2024, 2024051594. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1594.v1
Ahern, L.; Timmons, S.; Lamb, S. E.; McCullagh, R. “Exercise….to Me, It’s Freedom”: Motivation, Support, and Self-Management to Keep Physically Active with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study. Preprints2024, 2024051594. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1594.v1
APA Style
Ahern, L., Timmons, S., Lamb, S. E., & McCullagh, R. (2024). “Exercise….to Me, It’s Freedom”: Motivation, Support, and Self-Management to Keep Physically Active with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1594.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Ahern, L., Sarah E Lamb and Ruth McCullagh. 2024 "“Exercise….to Me, It’s Freedom”: Motivation, Support, and Self-Management to Keep Physically Active with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1594.v1
Abstract
Objective: To explore motivation to exercise, support, and self-management needs among people with Parkinson’s (PwP), family-members and physiotherapists. Methods: Purposeful and maximum difference sampling methods (age, sex, geographical setting, and disease severity) were employed. PwP and family-members were recruited through physiotherapy services and local support groups. Semi-structured interviews with 12 PwP, focus groups with four family-members, and five physiotherapists were conducted. Interview guides were informed by patient-public input, and a recent systematic review. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four common themes emerged: 1) The value of an intrinsic connection with exercise: but there are challenges.A greater connection to exercise led to long-term compliance. 2)Tailoring exercise is essential. Preferred exercises and environments were mixed, with differences emerging between sexes. 3)Physiotherapists’ aim to only maintain physical function led to frustration. Limited self-management opportunities, stigma and dehumanisation were discussed. 4)Non-motor symptoms, stigma, fear, and determination. Apathy, pain, and low mood were discussed. Conclusion: Exercise provided physical, emotional, and social rewards. Supports are necessary; however, challenges arise when PwP’s motivation are mismatched to family-members’ and physiotherapists’ goals. Co-created goals, tailored to their preferences, and exercise plans with supported self-management are recommended.
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease; exercise; physiotherapists; social stigma; qualitative research
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
