Applying self-determination theory towards motivational factors of physical activity in people undergoing...

The level of physical activity of people undergoing haemodialyses is low, so understanding what factors underlie the motivation to be physically active in people undergoing haemodialyses is important. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to explore the different motivation types and corresponding basic psychological needs (BPNs) of people undergoing haemodialyses based on self-determination theory.

We adopted the objective sampling method to select 19 patients with the end-stage renal disease aged from 28 to 66 years old from a tertiary hospital in Xi'an. They underwent haemodialyses five to six times every 2 weeks for more than 3 months. Then, we conducted semistructured one-on-one interviews with 19 people undergoing haemodialyses using qualitative content analysis. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed on a thematic analysis.

We analyzed four motivation types of patients, namely four themes, including entrenching in physical inactivity (Amotivation), breaking physical inactivity (Controlled motivation), finding one's way (Autonomous regulation) and enjoying the positive effects of physical activity (Intrinsic motivation). Each motivation is dominated by one or more BPNs. For example, inadequate Competence such as decreased physical function is the reason why the patient does not perform physical activities. Due to the lack of health education on physical activity, people undergoing haemodialyses often lack the motivation for controlled regulation. The motivation for self-regulation is generated by the patients' promotion of meeting BPNs, such as normal social interactions. The formation of patients' autonomous motivation can't be separated from the effective understanding felt by other patients, because their situations are similar. Enjoying physical activity promotes the formation of patients' intrinsic motivation and the maintenance of this behaviour.

Perceived Competence, Relatedness and Autonomous Motivation are important determinants for physical activity in people undergoing haemodialyses. Patients need to internalize the changed values and skills, so as to generate the motivation of self-regulation, rather than external or controlled forms of motivation regulation, to better maintain behaviour change.

People undergoing haemodialyses were involved in the development of the interview topic guide to ensure all relevant topics were explored.