Exercise in Individuals With CKD: A Focus Group Study Exploring Patient Attitudes, Motivations, and Barriers to...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Exercise Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Exercise offers significant benefits for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including reduced cardiovascular disease risk and slowed disease progression.
• Despite known advantages, a majority of individuals with CKD remain sedentary, highlighting a gap in exercise engagement.
• Understanding patient perspectives on exercise is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the attitudes, motivators, and barriers related to exercise among individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study design was employed, utilizing 10 focus groups with 41 adult participants who had CKD stages 3-4 and were not currently exercising.
• Participants were recruited from the Denver Metro Area through purposively sampled clinics.
• Thematic analysis was conducted on recorded and transcribed focus group discussions.

Main Results:

• Seven key themes emerged regarding exercise perceptions: perceived health and quality of life improvements, motivation from social support (family, friends, peers), limitations from comorbid conditions, environmental challenges (safety, weather, cost), time constraints, family as a barrier, and insufficient provider counseling.
• Participants acknowledged exercise benefits for general health but did not perceive a significant impact on their CKD.
• Social support was a strong motivator, yet family could also be a barrier, particularly if unwilling to participate. Limited guidance from kidney providers on exercise's specific effects on kidney health was a common concern, especially among Spanish-speaking participants.

Conclusions:

• Barriers and motivators to exercise were consistent across genders in this CKD patient cohort.
• A significant barrier identified was the lack of specific exercise advice from kidney care providers.
• Future exercise interventions for CKD patients should integrate strategies to enhance self-efficacy and social support, alongside direct counseling and prescription of exercise by nephrologists.