Experience of physical activity in patients with COPD: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis

To systematically evaluate and integrate the qualitative research on physical activity (PA) experience of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL and other databases were searched, and the qualitative research on PA experience of patients with COPD was collected. The systematic review was conducted in line with Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence.

12 studies were included and 3 themes were summarized, included: COPD patients experience more barriers while participating in physical activities than facilitators; COPD patients experience more positive effects post-physical activities than negative effects; Guaranteeing safety, goal setting, and establishing a professional support group improve compliance in COPD patients.

Health care professionals should help patients overcome the obstacles of PA, pay attention to the PA experience of patients, adopt diversified PA methods, improve PA participation and compliance, and make patients develop good PA habits.