StepWatch, Omron HJ-112, Fitbit One, and Jawbone UP appeared accurate at measuring steps in older adults with nonimpaired and impaired ambulation during a self-paced walking test. StepWatch also appeared accurate at measuring steps in cane-users.
Objectives
To identify intervention components that may promote long-term changes of physical activity among older adults in a behavioral theory-based physical activity trial.
Methods
Participants (N = 24; aged 65±8.79 years) shared perceptions of intervention components at the end of the intervention and physical activity was assessed at 18 months. Mixed-methods analyses using a pragmatic content analysis of interview data were conducted.
Results
Active study participants (25%) cited more specific goals/actions to achieve goals and more social support from family/friends, and had significantly higher self-determined motivation mean scores at 18 months than insufficiently active study participants (75%).
Conclusions
Specific goal-setting behaviors and social support from family/friends may be key elements of physical activity maintenance in older adults.
Aims: To explore the experience of fatigue and living with fatigue in persons with advanced heart failure. Design: Single-setting, qualitative interview study. Methods: In-depth in-person interviews were conducted with participants from November 2012 to June 2013. Participant responses to open-ended questions were analysed using thematic content analysis. Inclusion criteria were: 18 years and older, diagnosis of New York Heart Association class III-IV heart failure with reduced ejection fraction by a consultant cardiologist, and able to participate in conversational-style interviews in their own language. Major exclusion criteria was cognitive deficit identified by Abbreviated Mental Test Score. Twenty-three adults participated in the study. Results: Participants (age 72.5 ± 9.5 years, 10/23 female, 17/23 New York Heart Association class III, and 6/23 class IV) identified experiencing fatigue almost daily with over 14/23 reporting it as their worst symptom or combined worst symptom with breathlessness. 9/23 identified fatigue as their second-worst symptom. Three key themes were identified: fatigue as a physical barrier, psychological response to fatigue, and living with fatigue as a part of daily life. The three themes however combine to influence a patients well-being and we suggest need to be acknowledged when planning self-care management. Conclusion: As heart failure progresses fatigue influences patients' daily life and may negatively affect self-care abilities however patients strive to adapt to these limitations. Understanding the patient experience of fatigue and living with fatigue is important to optimize health management strategies. Impact: What problem did the study address? How fatigue is experienced by patients with heart failure as their condition progresses. This is currently unknown What were the main findings? 14/23 patients reported fatigue as their worse symptom Patients reported feeling fatigue every day Fatigue affects physical and psychological health in patients with advanced heart failure Where and on whom will the research have impact? This research will add to the evidence pertaining to patients experience of fatigue in advanced heart failure. The pattern of fatigue presented could inform patient centred care, including selfcare management strategies for patients in this stage of disease progression. Routine monitoring of fatigue must include assessing patient perceptions which may lead to timely recognition of progression and appropriate action taken to improve patient outcomes.
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