What affects physical activity in a rehabilitation centre? Voices of patients, nurses, therapists, and activity trackers

Abstract

Purpose: In the context of rehabilitation, research shows a close connection between patients' physical activity, care culture, and the built environment. As these three impact on patients' rehabilitation process, we aim to understand what affects physical activity in a particular rehabilitation centre. Materials and methods:We combine insights from literature with a qualitative study informed by quantitative data. Semi-structured and walking interviews with 16 patients were informed by output from activity trackers. Two focus-group interviews with respectively four nurses and two therapists provided extra perspectives. Results: We found that patients interpret physical activity rather narrowly, equating it with therapy. Yet, the data of the activity trackers show that daily activities are often as active as therapy, as confirmed by nurses and therapists. Motivation to be physically active was found in setting clear goals, social interaction, allowing choice and control to achieve a sense of normality, and the built environment. How patients act in and interact with the built environment are closely related to how staff approaches and communicates care. Conclusions:The focus on what affects -defines, hampers, or supports -physical activity in a rehabilitation centre allowed developing a better understanding of how care culture and the built environment interrelate. � IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION� How physical activity is perceived by patients reflects the goals they like to achieve through rehabilitation. � The built environment is a third factor in the relation between care culture and patients' physical activity. � Fully supporting patients to be physically active with respect to their personality and capabilities requires differentiating between patients both in how they are approached (patient-or person-centred) and in how they are spatially facilitated.

Perspectives of health professionals on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in hospitalised adults: A systematic review and thematic synthesis

“…Forty studies were included in the review, with study characteristics for these presented in Table 1, and more detailed characteristics summarised in Supplemental File 3. Twenty-five of the studies explored perspectives from multiple disciplines, 31,47–70 and the remaining 15 included participants from a single profession only. 71–85 Overall, studies explored the perspectives of a combined 1408 health professionals working across acute hospitals, 31,48–52,54,57–59,61–65,67–74,…”

“…Twenty-five of the studies explored perspectives from multiple disciplines, 31,47–70 and the remaining 15 included participants from a single profession only. 71–85 Overall, studies explored the perspectives of a combined 1408 health professionals working across acute hospitals, 31,48–52,54,57–59,61–65,67–74,76,78,80,82–84 rehabilita...…”

“…71–85 Overall, studies explored the perspectives of a combined 1408 health professionals working across acute hospitals, 31,48–52,54,57–59,61–65,67–74,76,78,80,82–84 rehabilitation, 47,56,57,60,66,77 mixed 53,55,75,79,81 or other settings 85 as nurses, 31,47–52,54…”

“…Twenty-five of the studies explored perspectives from multiple disciplines, 31, and the remaining 15 included participants from a single profession only. [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85] Overall, studies explored the perspectives of a combined 1408 health professionals working across acute hospitals, 31,[48][49][50][51][52]54,[57][58][59][61][62][63][64][65][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74]76,78,80,[82][83][84] rehabilitation, 47,56,57,60,66,…”

“…[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85] Overall, studies explored the perspectives of a combined 1408 health professionals working across acute hospitals, 31,[48][49][50][51][52]54,[57][58][59][61][62][63][64][65][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74]76,78,80,[82][83][84] rehabilitation, 47,56,57,60,66,77 mixed 53,55,…”