Citation

Dohrn IM, Ståhle A, Roaldsen KS. Phys. Ther. 2015; 96(3): 361-370.

Affiliation

K.S. Roaldsen, RPT, PhD, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2522/ptj.20150131

PMID

26206217

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is essential for older adults with osteoporosis, and health care professionals play important roles in promoting PA and encouraging patients to make healthy choices. However, many factors influence habitual PA and we have only limited knowledge about the perceptions and experiences of PA among older women with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe perceptions and experiences of physical activity and the factors that influence habitual physical activity among older adults with osteoporosis, impaired balance, and fear of falling.

DESIGN: This was a qualitative interview study applying interpretive content analysis with an inductive approach.

METHODS: Informants were a purposeful sample of 18 women aged 66 to 86 years with osteoporosis, impaired balance, and fear of falling. Individual, semi-structured, face-to face interviews were recorded, transcribed, condensed, and coded to find subthemes and themes.

RESULTS: Overall theme found was 'Physical activity-a tool for staying healthy with osteoporosis'. This comprised two main themes interpreting the challenges and possibilities of being physically active with osteoporosis. These themes were not separate but rather linked to each other like two sides of the same coin, with factors that could act as both barriers to and facilitators of PA. Personal preferences and osteoporosis-related concerns, influenced habitual PA, and individualization was perceived as important.

CONCLUSIONS: The women perceived that PA was an important tool to maintain health with osteoporosis, and believed that they had a responsibility in using this tool. They had adapted to disease-specific limitations and developed strategies to overcome challenges and barriers to PA. Lack of PA promotion and conflicting advice about PA from physicians created uncertainty. Encouragement and guidance from physical therapists were very important.

Language: en