The use and perceptions of behaviour change interventions among people with chronic respiratory disease and those who deliver physical activity programmes in The Republic of Ireland

Background

People living with chronic respiratory disease are less physically active than others, leading to poorer health outcomes [1]. While the concept of physical activity behaviour is complex, behaviour change interventions may support people with chronic respiratory disease to be physically active. The most effective interventions for long-term physical activity behaviour change in those with chronic respiratory disease remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the use and perceptions of behaviour change interventions among people with chronic respiratory disease and those who deliver physical activity programmes in The Republic of Ireland.

Methods

Two anonymous online and paper-copy cross-sectional surveys were piloted and distributed via social media and relevant gate-keepers between November 2023 - April 2024 [2]. Findings were summarised using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means and medians. Relationships between variables were investigated using Chi-squared (p=0.05). Interventions were mapped to the COM-B model and the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

The response rate to the provider survey was N=107 (107/150, 71%), and N=112 people responded to the survey of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Encouragement was perceived by providers of physical activity programmes to be the most effective intervention to influence physical activity (81/84, 96%), with education (80/84, 95%), individualized goal setting (79/84, 94%), and social support (78/84, 93%) also reported. People with COPD identified social support (76/105, 72%), which mapped to the most theoretical domains, and one-to-one interaction with a trainer (73/105, 70%) to be the most effective interventions influencing their physical activity behaviour. Using the COM-B model, motivation was identified as a common mechanism of action in influencing behaviour. 

Conclusions

Interventions for physical activity including motivational components are frequently perceived as effective influencers of physical activity behaviour by both people living with and those working with people with chronic respiratory disease in the Republic of Ireland.