Article

The purpose of this study is to describe thoughts and attitudes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when talking about
exercise training as treatment. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were
performed and analyzed with the grounded theory method. Four men and six women
were interviewed (ages 66-84 years), with moderate to severe COPD, and no
experience of organized exercise training as treatment for COPD. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in one core category, unknown territory, and three categories,
good for those who can, but not for me; fear of future; and mastering. Exercise
training as treatment was perceived by the participants as something unknown. It
was also described as important for others but not for them. Their perceptions
were that they could not perform exercise training, and did not have the
knowledge of what or how to perform exercise that was good for them. CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with COPD, with no previous experience of exercise training as treatment
for their disease, describe exercise training as something unknown and
unimportant for them. The results provide important knowledge for healthcare
professionals regarding how to educate patients with COPD about the content and
benefits of exercise training as treatment. Implications for Rehabilitation
Exercise training is effective for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) with regard to dyspnea, physical capacity, health-related quality
of life, and health care use. Patients with COPD perceive a lack of information
regarding exercise training as treatment. The information and the presentation of
exercise training as treatment might be of importance to get better adherence to
this treatment.

Langue : ANGLAIS