School of Health Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
Physiotherapy Department, Polytechnic of Coimbra, ESTeSC Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal.
Disabil Rehabil. 2024 Jun;46(12):2662-2669. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2229237. Epub 2023 Jul 9.
Aerobic exercise training programs decrease blood pressure in individuals with resistant hypertension. However, participants' experiences regarding exercise training participation are unknown and often undervalued. Therefore, participant's experiences and program acceptability of the exercise arm of the EnRicH trial, a randomized clinical trial investigating the effect of a 12-week aerobic exercise training program in individuals with resistant hypertension were analysed.
An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with twenty individuals with resistant hypertension (11 males, mean age 58.9 ± 8.9 years), after the exercise program. Four focus group interviews were performed to explore participants' perspectives. The interviews were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis.
Five themes emerged from the data analyses: 1) main impacts of participating in the exercise program; 2) facilitators of adherence; 3) perceived barriers; 4) perception of the program structure; and 5) global satisfaction with the program. Positive physical and emotional changes were reported, associated with reduced perceived stress and irritability, and decreased blood pressure. Adherence to the exercise program was facilitated by personalized supervision and feedback, the personal commitment to attend the training sessions, and different schedule options. Lack of motivation, peer support, physical health limitations, and difficulty in conciliating schedules were identified as barriers to the maintenance of exercise training after the program.
The qualitative analysis demonstrates the acceptability of the program. Peer and health professional's support, commitment to health professionals, and boosting individual-perceived advantages are key-points to promote participants adherence.
有氧运动训练计划可降低抗高血压患者的血压。然而，参与者的训练体验未知且经常被低估。因此，分析了 EnRicH 试验（一项研究 12 周有氧运动训练计划对抗高血压患者影响的随机临床试验）运动组的参与者体验和项目可接受性。
在运动计划结束后，对 20 名抗高血压患者（男性 11 名，平均年龄 58.9±8.9 岁）进行了探索性定性研究。进行了 4 次焦点小组访谈，以探讨参与者的观点。访谈进行了数字音频记录、逐字转录，并进行了主题分析。
数据分析中出现了 5 个主题：1）参加运动计划的主要影响；2）坚持的促进因素；3）感知障碍；4）对项目结构的看法；5）对项目的整体满意度。报告了积极的身体和情绪变化，与降低的感知压力和烦躁情绪以及降低的血压有关。个性化监督和反馈、个人参加培训课程的承诺以及不同的日程安排选项促进了对运动计划的坚持。缺乏动力、同伴支持、身体健康限制以及难以协调日程是计划结束后维持运动训练的障碍。
定性分析证明了该计划的可接受性。同伴和健康专业人员的支持、对健康专业人员的承诺以及增强个人感知优势是促进参与者坚持的关键点。
