Abstract:

Objective: To explore the experience and coping needs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with kinesiophobia, and to provide a basis for formulating a comprehensive and targeted intervention program for kinesiophobia. Methods: Using purposive sampling, 15 COPD patients with kinesiophobia who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between May and June 2024. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and traditional content analysis method was employed to extract themes related to the inner experiences of kinesiophobia and perceptions towards physical activity. Results: Through 15 interviews, 3 themes and 11 sub-themes were extracted: the multidimensional causes of kinesiophobia (excessive psychological anxiety, cognitive biases affecting decision-making, lack of regulatory skills, and absence of intrinsic motivation), positive factors mitigating fear (perceived benefits of exercise, appropriate form of exercise, positive emotional state, family and peer support), and urgent needs to be addressed (disease-related knowledge needs, social and information support needs, and guidance needs for exercise rehabilitation). Conclusion: Healthcare providers should provide targeted interventions based on the multidimensional causes of kinesiophobia and the positive factors that mitigate it in COPD patients. Providing exercise rehabilitation guidance and various forms of external support can help alleviate kinesiophobia and promote patient engagement in exercise rehabilitation.

Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive, Dyspnea, Exercise therapy, Health services needs and demand, Qualitative study