# PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO AND FACILITATORS OF BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE TOWARDS A MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE IN PEOPLE WITH NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

## TL;DR

This study identifies barriers and facilitators to becoming more physically active for people with neuromuscular diseases, helping healthcare providers offer personalized support.

## Contribution

The study provides a framework of barriers and facilitators to physical activity in neuromuscular disease patients using qualitative analysis of coaching sessions.

## Key findings

- Barriers and facilitators were identified in four domains: body functions, activities, environmental factors, and personal factors.
- Environmental factors like accessibility and social support significantly influence physical activity behavior.
- Personal factors such as life satisfaction and attitudes toward health play a key role in behavior change.

## Abstract

To explore perceived barriers to and facilitators of behaviour change towards a more active lifestyle in people with neuromuscular diseases.

A qualitative study.

Nineteen subjects (63% females, age range 28–73 years), representing 4 different neuromuscular diseases.

Data from a randomized controlled trial were used. Subjects followed a physical activity programme including coaching sessions using motivational interviewing techniques. All sessions were audio-recorded, and thematic analyses were conducted on a random selection of 29 audio recordings, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a framework.

Barriers and facilitators were identified in the following domains: body functions and structures (i.e., neuromusculoskeletal, sensory and mental functions), activities and participation (i.e., undertaking multiple tasks and complex interpersonal interactions), environmental factors (i.e., products and technology for personal use in daily living, design/construction of buildings for public and private use, financial assets, climate, natural events, support and relationships) and personal factors (i.e., satisfaction with life, attitude toward health and disease, attitude toward intervention, exercise habits and methodical skills).

Identified barriers and facilitators could guide healthcare professionals to facilitate the discussion of physical activity behaviour and to address them in a personalized way during neuromuscular rehabilitation treatment.

This study investigated the challenges and factors that help people with neuromuscular diseases to adopt an active lifestyle. Nineteen participants (aged 28–73) with different neuromuscular diseases took part in a physical activity programme that included coaching sessions to explore their own motivation for change. By analysing audio recordings of coaching sessions, we identified key challenges and factors that help people to adopt a more active lifestyle in 4 areas: body functions (such as muscle function, pain, and fatigue), activities (such as undertaking multiple tasks and social interactions), environmental factors (such as accessibility of sports facilities, finances, and social support) and personal factors (such as life satisfaction and attitude to a healthy lifestyle). Understanding these challenges and the factors that help can support healthcare providers to provide more personalized advice and promote physical activity as part of the treatment of people with neuromuscular diseases, together with community services and policy-makers.