Flexible, Accessible, Effective: Patient Perceptions of the Pulmonary Hypertension and Home-Based (PHAHB) Physical Activity Intervention

Ciara McCormack, Sarah J. Hardcastle, Niall M. Moyna, Emer Morahan, Sarah Cullivan, Sean Gaine, Brian McCullagh, Brona Kehoe

https://doi.org/10.1002/pul2.70309 

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive condition associated with reduced physical activity and impaired quality of life. While exercise training is now recognised as a safe and beneficial adjunct to PH management, opportunities for supervised programmes remain limited. There is a growing need for person-centred, acceptable interventions that enable patients to engage safely and meaningfully in physical activity within their own environment. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals with PH who participated in a 10-week, home-based exercise programme, and to evaluate its acceptability, utility, and perceived impact. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants (N = 13) diagnosed with precapillary PH, specifically pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), who completed the intervention. Data was analysed thematically to identify core themes reflecting patient experiences and perceived changes. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: convenience and accessibility, development of exercise self-regulation skills, support and accountability, and perceived improvements in physical fitness and well-being. Person-centred, behaviourally informed home-based exercise interventions can help individuals with PH exercise safely, overcome fear, enhance self-efficacy, and re-engage with physical activity. These findings provide patient-driven insights to guide the design and implementation of scalable exercise models for the PH population.

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