An exploration of beliefs regarding exercise among Taiwanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives: To explore the beliefs regarding regular exercise among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background: Low adherence to exercise has been observed in patients with COPD. It is important to identify factors regarding exercise from the patients' viewpoint. Methods: Thirty-one patients were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Semi-structured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data. The narratives of the interviews were analyzed via content analysis. Results: The majority of the participants affirmed the benefits of regular exercise; however, concerns about personal comfort and safety affected their actual exercise behavior. Five normative references were found to support exercise behavior, and several exercise promoters were identified. Conclusion: This study provides an understanding of exercise beliefs of Taiwanese patients with COPD stage II-IV and suggests several ideas for their exercise maintenance. There is a need to provide individualized exercise guides and reinforced programs for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.