Navigating Loss and Growth in Chronic Illness: An Interview Study on Physical Activity and Well-Being.
Stine G Roikjaer, Malene Beck, Nasrin Asgari and 3 others
PMID 40235287WHAT IT FOUND
People living with chronic illness described walking, gardening, sport and nature as relief, control and connection, not just exercise.
They also described illness as changing their body, familiar life and future.
Key findings
01Participants described illness as changing their body, their familiar life and their sense of future.
02Physical activity was described as relief, a way to claim control, and a way to reconnect with self and others.
03Some participants needed guided support to feel secure and motivated with physical activity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study interviewed a small purposive sample, so the themes may not apply to other patients or settings. It did not measure whether physical activity improved health, function or well-being. Participants had different illnesses and different times since diagnosis, so their experiences may not be comparable. The analysis relied on a philosophical framework and the lead interviewer's perspective, although reflexivity and co-author checking were used. The study was done in Denmark, and healthcare support may differ elsewhere.
Declared interests
The study was funded by Region Sjælland and was part of the IMAGINE and Exercise First research programs. Dr Skou is the developer of the GLA:D program, a not-for-profit initiative to implement clinical guidelines in primary care. The authors declared no other conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that physical activity improves well-being or clinical outcomes. The study asked people to describe their experiences; it did not test a treatment or measure change over time.