Qvarfordt M, Andersson MLE, Larsson I. Factors influencing physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-methods study.
SAGE Open Med 2019;
7:2050312119874995. [PMID:
31523427 PMCID:
PMC6734598 DOI:
10.1177/2050312119874995]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective:
The goal of this study was to provide a greater understanding of physical
activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The aim was twofold:
first to explore if physical activity was associated with factors in the
clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis in this patient group, and second,
to explore factors influencing physical activity in patients with early
rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods:
A total of 66 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis were included in the
study. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used, where
quantitative data from a questionnaire were analysed with Mann–Whitney, post
hoc Kruskal–Wallis and χ2 test in order to detect differences
between groups, and find possible associations between physical activity and
independent variables, such as disease activity, health-related quality of
life and physical function. Qualitative data were collected in a follow-up
questionnaire with open-ended questions that focused on factors influencing
physical activity.
Results:
Associations between physical activity, disease activity and health-related
quality of life were seen in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis
together with strong negative correlations between physical activity and
physical function. Patients on sick leave showed the strongest associations
between disease-related variables and lower levels of physical activity. The
findings from the qualitative analysis showed that physical limitations,
awareness as a motivational factor and external environment factors
influenced physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid
arthritis.
Conclusion:
The results showed a complex underlying motive where physical, psychological
and environmental factors influenced the physical activity in patients with
early rheumatoid arthritis. In order to provide more effective health
interventions, it is important to consider the complex nature of practicing
physical activity, where a person-centred approach should be considered.
Factors such as physical limitations, economic aspects and time for
practicing physical activity should be included in the person-centred
approach.
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