Enablers and barriers to participation in physical activity programs while hospitalized after burn injury: The patient perspective.

Abstract

Physical activity is an essential component of burn rehabilitation; however, the patient experience of factors that contribute to physical activity participation while hospitalized after burn injury has not yet been described. This study aimed to identify enablers and barriers to participation in physical activity while hospitalized after burn injury from the patient perspective. A qualitative descriptive study design was undertaken. Purposive sampling was used to recruit adults with burn injuries admitted to the burn center between February and July 2022. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by a research assistant not involved in clinical care, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. All de-identified transcripts were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach and organized into major themes. Twenty participants (18 males) with average age of 47 years and mean burn size of 13.8 % total body surface area were included. Factors which influenced patients' ability to participate in physical activity were summarized into six major themes: 1) Burn injury factors; 2) Patient factors; 3) Staff support; 4) Family support; 5) Peer support; 6) Environmental factors. Pain, fear of causing further pain or harm and beliefs regarding the need for rest to achieve wound healing were identified as major barriers to physical activity performance. Family support and supportive care from staff were highly valued enablers. This is the first study to describe the patient experience of physical activity participation while hospitalized after a burn injury. Understanding the patient perspective is integral to developing appropriate multi-component interventions to promote increased physical activity early after burn injury.