'Working me to life': longitudinal perceptions from adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction enrolled in an exercise training clinical trial.
Erin Salahshurian, Bunny J Pozehl, Scott W Lundgren and 4 others
PMID 38597735WHAT IT FOUND
Adults with heart failure often fear exercise but can overcome this through weekly coaching.
The relationship with a coach, accountability, and a safe medical fitness environment were key motivators. Most participants improved their attitudes and maintained exercise long-term.
Key findings
01The relationship with coaches was the most cited motivator for exercise adherence, providing accountability and social support.
02Participants reported that initial fear and negative attitudes toward exercise improved over time, with many developing confidence in their physical capability.
03A safe medical fitness center environment with knowledgeable staff made participants feel secure enough to exercise.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a secondary analysis of a small subgroup (21 participants) from a single trial, limiting generalizability. Data were collected between 2012 and 2018, so context (e.g., pandemic effects) has shifted. Participants were recruited from the intervention arm only; those in usual care who adhered to exercise were not interviewed. Some participants classified as HFpEF may have had recovered ejection fraction, introducing potential misclassification. The sample was younger and slightly male-skewed compared to the typical HFpEF population.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the participants' reported improvements in symptoms and quality of life as evidence of efficacy. These are subjective perceptions from a qualitative study without a control group comparison for these specific narrative outcomes, and the study did not measure objective physiological changes at follow-up.