Community-based exercise training for people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease: a mixed-methods evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Poor uptake and adherence are problematic for hospital-based pulmonary and heart failure rehabilitation programs, often because of access difficulties. The aims of this mixed-methods study were to determine the feasibility of a supervised exercise training program in a community gymnasium in people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease, to explore the experiences of participants and physiotherapists and to determine if a community venue improved access and adherence to rehabilitation.


METHODS
Adults with chronic respiratory and/or chronic cardiac disease referred to a hospital-based pulmonary and heart failure rehabilitation program were screened to determine their suitability to exercise in a community venue. Eligible patients were offered the opportunity to attend supervised exercise training for 8 weeks in a community gymnasium. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and physiotherapists at the completion of the program.


RESULTS
Thirty-one people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease (34% males, mean [standard deviation] age 72 [10] years) commenced the community-based exercise training program. Twenty-two (71%) completed the program. All participants who completed the program, and the physiotherapists delivering the program, were highly satisfied, with reports of the community venue being well-equipped, convenient, and easily accessible. Using a community gymnasium promoted a sense of normality and instilled confidence in some to continue exercising at a similar venue post rehabilitation. However, factors such as cost and lack of motivation continue to be barriers.


CONCLUSION
The convenience and accessibility of a community venue for rehabilitation contributed to high levels of satisfaction and a positive experience for people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease and physiotherapists.
['McNamara|Renae J|RJ|', 'McKeough|Zoe J|ZJ|', 'Mo|Laura R|LR|', 'Dallimore|Jamie T|JT|', 'Dennis|Sarah M|SM|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation D003153:Community Health Services D005081:Exercise Therapy D005240:Feasibility Studies D005260:Female D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006297:Health Services Accessibility D006331:Heart Diseases D006801:Humans D008168:Lung D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009042:Motivation D009517:New South Wales D010349:Patient Compliance D017060:Patient Satisfaction D059825:Physical Therapists D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive D012138:Respiratory Therapy D013997:Time Factors D016896:Treatment Outcome
exercise COPD pulmonary rehabilitation qualitative