Experience and Perceptions among Older Outpatients after Myocardial Infarction following an Exercise Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis from the PIpELINe Trial

Andrea Raisi, Tommaso Piva (), Jonathan Myers, Valentina Zerbini, Simona Mandini, Tamara Zappaterra, Gianni Mazzoni, Elisabetta Tonet, Rita Pavasini, Gianluca Campo, Giovanni Grazzi and Emilio Paolo Visintin
Additional contact information
Andrea Raisi: Center for Exercise Science and Sport, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
Tommaso Piva: Center for Exercise Science and Sport, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
Jonathan Myers: Division of Cardiology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
Valentina Zerbini: Center for Exercise Science and Sport, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
Simona Mandini: Center for Exercise Science and Sport, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
Tamara Zappaterra: Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Gianni Mazzoni: Center for Exercise Science and Sport, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
Elisabetta Tonet: Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Rita Pavasini: Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Gianluca Campo: Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Giovanni Grazzi: Center for Exercise Science and Sport, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
Emilio Paolo Visintin: Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs effectively improve physical performance and outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI). However, older patients are less likely to participate in such programs. The aim of this qualitative analysis was to investigate experiences and perceptions of cardiac outpatients enrolled in an innovative and exercise-based CR program and to identify possible barriers to improving adherence and quality of life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a sample of 31 patients (84% male; age 76 ± 6 years) from the Physical Activity Intervention in Elderly after Myocardial Infarction (PIpELINe) trial, after about six months of the event. Three main themes were identified: Personal feelings after the event; lifestyle change and perception of barriers; and relationships with familiars. Participants perceived sensations of fear at the time of their diagnosis and showed awareness of the importance of following specific health suggestions. They reported a significative change in previous habits and highlighted the need for periodic controls. Few of them felt insecure in carrying out daily activities or practicing exercise and reported an unnecessary protection from the family members. These findings will provide valuable insights for the development of a more feasible patient-centered CR model of intervention.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; myocardial infarction; cardiac rehabilitation; qualitative research; adherence; lifestyle change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/2196/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/2196/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2196-:d:1046858

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().