“Challenges to Normalcy”- Perceived Barriers to Adherence to Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Zhen Yang, Xutong Zheng, Na Hu, Fengpei Zhang, Aiping Wang Department of Public Services, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Aiping Wang, Department of Public Services, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: The aim of this study was to explore perceived barriers to adherence to home-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise in patients with chronic heart failure.Patients and Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in this study from May to July 2023. A purposive sampling approach was adopted to select patients with chronic heart failure. Semi-structured interviews were completed to collect qualitative data for exploring the perceived barriers. In addition, information saturation and validation strategies were adopted to prove the adequacy of qualitative data. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: A total of 16 patients with chronic heart failure were included in this study. Analysis of the data revealed five main barriers to adherence to home-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with chronic heart failure. These include (1) lack of knowledge, (2) activity intolerance, (3) exercise fear, (4) role conflict, and (5) lower exercise self-efficacy.Conclusion: This study delved deeper into understanding the challenges faced by chronic heart failure patients in adhering to home-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise. The development of precise and effective management and intervention strategies based on these barriers is necessary to improve patient compliance with home-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise.Keywords: cardiac rehabilitation, exercise, influencing factors, qualitative research, thematic analysis

Keywords

• cardiac rehabilitation
• exercise
• influencing factors
• qualitative research
• thematic analysis