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Experiences, acceptability and feasibility of an isometric exercise intervention for stage 1 hypertension: embedded qualitative study in a randomised controlled feasibility trial

Rees-Roberts, Melanie, Borthwick, Rachel, Santer, Ellie, Darby, John, West, Alan, O’Driscoll, Jamie M., Pellatt-Higgins, Tracy, Gousia, Katerina, Short, Vanessa, Doulton, Tim, and others. (2024) Experiences, acceptability and feasibility of an isometric exercise intervention for stage 1 hypertension: embedded qualitative study in a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10 (1). Article Number 113. ISSN 2055-5784. (doi:10.1186/s40814-024-01539-8) (KAR id:107045)

Abstract

Background: Healthy lifestyle changes for patients with stage 1 hypertension are recommended before antihypertensive medication. Exercise has antihypertensive benefits; however, low adoption and high attrition are common. Patients need easily adoptable, effective and manageable exercise interventions that can be sustained for life. We present participant and stakeholder perceptions of an isometric exercise intervention for stage 1 hypertension delivered in the National Health Service (NHS, UK).

Methods: An embedded qualitative study within a randomised-controlled feasibility study included intervention arm participants (n = 10), healthcare professionals from participating NHS sites (n = 3) and non-participating NHS sites (n = 5) taking part in semi-structured interviews to explore feasibility of delivering an isometric exercise intervention within the study design and an NHS context. Data was analysed using reflective thematic analysis.

Results: Three themes were identified: study deliverability; motivators and barriers; support for study participation. Findings indicated that the study was well designed. Health benefits, unwillingness to take medication, altruism and interest in the study helped motivation and adherence. Study support received was good, but healthcare professionals were insecure in intervention delivery with regular training/supervision needed. Perception of health improvement was mixed, but, in some, uptake of wider lifestyle changes resulted from participation. Stakeholders felt that current service challenges/demand would make implementation challenging.

Conclusions: Despite participant positivity, delivery of an isometric intervention in an NHS setting was considered challenging given the current service demand, although possible with robust effectiveness evidence. Findings support further effectiveness data and implementation development of the isometric exercise intervention.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1186/s40814-024-01539-8
Projects: IsoFIT-BP
Uncontrolled keywords: Hypertension, Exercise, Primary Care, Qualitative Research, Isometric, Uk National Health Service
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Funders: National Institute for Health Research (https://ror.org/0187kwz08)
Depositing User: Ellie Santer
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2024 11:05 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 13:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/107045 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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