Exploring relationships between pain and exercise adherence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the relationship of persistent musculoskeletal pain and adherence to prescribed exercises: Determinants, barriers, and facilitators to change
IRAS ID
225172
Contact name
Laura B Meade
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Over 80 million Europeans suffer from chronic pain and exercise has shown to greatly improve pain outcomes. However, more than half of this population does not adhere to their exercise enough to experience the benefits. Very little research has investigated how to enhance adherence to exercise in chronic pain patients. To do this, we need to gain a better understanding of the determinants that influence exercise adherence behaviors. This study will qualitatively explore the experiences of patients from two NHS physiotherapy clinics and registered physiotherapists in respect to exercise adherence. We will be conducting interviews (one interview, lasting approximately 60 minutes) with patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (such as low back pain and fibromyalgia) asking questions guided by a theoretical model to explore the factors that influence adherence to prescribed exercise. Focus groups will be run with two separate groups of Health and Care Professions Council registered physiotherapists to explore their experience in prescribing exercises. The perspective of the physiotherapists will provide a deeper understanding of the prescription process and behaviors of the patients. The responses of the patients and physiotherapists will inform the development of a behavior change intervention with a goal to increase patient adherence to prescribed exercise.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0249
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion