A cross-sectional study exploring levels of physical activity and motivators and barriers towards physical activity in haemodialysis patients to inform intervention development

Purpose. To describe physical activity (PA) levels and motivators and barriers to PA among haemodialysis patients and to identify an appropriate approach to increasing their PA. Methods. A cross sectional mixed methods study conducted in a tertiary and satellite haemodialysis unit. 101 participants aged 18 years and over, receiving regular haemodialysis for at least four months, were recruited. Patients with recent hospital admission or acute cardiac event were excluded. Participants completed health status (EQ-5D-3L™) and activity (Human Activity Profile) questionnaires. A subgroup were invited to wear accelerometers and wearable cameras to measure PA levels and capture PA episodes, to inform subsequent semi-structured interviews on motivators and barriers. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using the Framework Method informed by constructs of the Health Belief Model. Results. 98/101 completed the study (66 male, 32 female). For 68/98 participants, adjusted activity scores from the Human Activity Profile indicated ‘impaired’ levels of Physical Activity; for 67/98 participants, the EQ-5D-3L indicated problems with mobility. Semi-structured interviews identified general (fear of falls, pain) and disease specific barriers (fatigue) to PA. Motivators included tailored exercise programmes and educational support from health care professionals. Conclusions. Participants indicated a need for co-development with healthcare professionals of differentiated, targeted exercise interventions