Feasibility and Acceptability of an Internet-Based Program to Promote Physical Activity in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lifelong physical activity is an important component of the therapeutic management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Use of the internet to monitor and encourage participation in physical activity has not been assessed in adults with CF. We aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a specifically developed internet-based program to monitor and encourage physical activity participation in adults with CF. METHODS: Subjects were recruited at hospital discharge to trial an internet-based physical activity program (ActivOnline) for 8 weeks, which incorporated fortnightly telephone consultation to support physical activity behavior change. Acceptability of the program was assessed by semistructured interview, as well as subject-rated system usability and perceived benefit using Likert scales. Feasibility was assessed by frequency of access of the online site and number of physical activity sessions recorded. RESULTS: Ten subjects were recruited who rated system usability and perceived benefit favorably (median score usability of 89% [interquartile range of 84 -95%]; median score of perceived benefit (maximum of 5) of 4 [interquartile range of 3-4.8]). During interviews, subjects described a positive reaction to receiving graphical representation of their activity participation; however, 80% would have preferred a more mobile interface such as an app. Subjects accessed ActivOnline on a mean ؎ SD of 13 ؎ 11 occasions over 8 weeks and recorded a mean of 35 (range of 15-57) physical activity sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Use of an internet-based program to encourage participation in physical activity was both feasible and acceptable to adults with CF. Feasibility may be further improved with the ability to access the program through a mobile application.

A Systematic Review of Patient-Facing Visualizations of Personal Health Data

“…Of the articles reporting visualization-specific findings, many reported that visualizations were generally well liked by patients and considered valuable. [49][50][51] Visualizations helped patients to ask more sophisticated clinical questions, identify relationships over time, and articulate specific health concerns. 52,53 The level of support for patient comprehension of different visualization types varied between studies.…”

The Feasibility of a Telehealth Exercise Program Aimed at Increasing Cardiorespiratory Fitness for People After Stroke

“…Delivering exercise programs via telehealth using video-conferencing may provide an alternative way to enable stroke survivors to engage in supervised exercise at home. Telehealth exercise interventions targeting fitness have proved effective and safe in other populations, including cardiac rehabilitation (Clark et al, 2015), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Hwang et al, 2015), cystic fibrosis (Cox, Alison, Button, Wilson, & Holland, 2015) and in the elderly (Crotty et al, 2014), and telehealth is emerging as a cost-effective alternative to providing centre-based exercise programs (Maddison et al, 2018;Southard, Southard, & Nuckolls, 2003;Whittaker & Wade, 2014). In stroke, telehealth has been used successfully to monitor vital signs (Bernocchi et al, 2016), motor recovery, depression and higher cortical function (Sarfo, Ulasavets, Opare-Sem, & Ovbiagele, 2018), and to deliver speech pathology (Hill et al, 2006), upper limb physiotherapy (Benvenuti et al, 2014) and rehabilitation exercises (Bernocchi et al, 2016).…”

Exercise testing and exercise training within cystic fibrosis centres across Australia and New Zealand: what is considered important and what is current practice?

“…Finally, apart from staffing, one of the main limitations to implementing an outpatient exercise training programme was related to the risk of cross‐infection between people with CF. Considering emerging methods of exercise testing and training supervision, such as telehealth, which was reported in one centre, is likely to be an important alternative to reduce the risk of cross infection.…”