Exploring physical activity behaviour - needs for and interest in a technology-delivered, home-based exercise...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Supervised walking is a primary therapy for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients experiencing intermittent claudication.
• Low uptake of supervised programs necessitates alternative approaches, such as home-based exercise.
• Technological advancements like tele-coaching and tele-monitoring can support physically active lifestyles in PAD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers to physical activity in PAD patients.
• To assess the needs and interests of PAD patients regarding technology-enabled exercise interventions.
• To inform the development of guided home-based exercise programs for PAD.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of PAD patients from a vascular center.
• Administration of questionnaires assessing physical activity (SF-IPAQ), barriers to physical activity, and interest in technology-supported exercise (Technology Usage Questionnaire).
• Descriptive and correlation analyses to interpret the data.

Main Results:

• Low physical activity levels were reported by 48% of the 99 surveyed PAD patients.
• Intermittent claudication symptoms (pain, need for rest) were the primary barriers to physical activity.
• A high interest (67%) in tele-coaching for exercise support was observed, with preferences for internet-based (e-mails) and mobile (text messages) delivery, particularly among younger patients.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral arterial disease patients express significant interest in technology-delivered exercise interventions.
• Home-based, technology-supported exercise programs, including tele-coaching, present a viable opportunity to enhance physical activity in PAD.
• Future interventions should consider patient preferences for technology platforms and delivery methods, accounting for age-related differences.