Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study
Background: Exercise has indisputable advantages for people with chronic conditions. Engaging in physical activity within natural environments, known as green exercise, contributes to both physical and mental well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of people with chronic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10077 |
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| author | Aristi Tsokani Theodoros Dimopoulos Evangelos Vourazanis Nikolaos Strimpakos Evdokia Billis Garyfallia Pepera Eleni Kapreli |
| author_facet | Aristi Tsokani Theodoros Dimopoulos Evangelos Vourazanis Nikolaos Strimpakos Evdokia Billis Garyfallia Pepera Eleni Kapreli |
| author_sort | Aristi Tsokani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Exercise has indisputable advantages for people with chronic conditions. Engaging in physical activity within natural environments, known as green exercise, contributes to both physical and mental well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of people with chronic conditions and health professionals and the perceived facilitators and barriers to therapeutic green exercise. Methods: This was a qualitative study based on two focus groups. Ethical approval was received, and a thematic analysis was used to analyze the discussions. Results: Seven patients and eight health professionals participated in the study. The thematic analysis yielded thirteen main themes. Safety concerns and inadequate infrastructures were key barriers. Core facilitators were socialization, and multisensory exposure. Conclusions: Patients with chronic conditions and health professionals believe that green exercise improves physical activity engagement, and it would be beneficial if incorporated in the rehabilitation process. There are challenges to overcome to make therapeutic green exercise for people with chronic conditions more accessible. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:05:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d4459a7b443e4d6d92d3fe9d6cedb719 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:05:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d4459a7b443e4d6d92d3fe9d6cedb7192023-11-19T09:22:42ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-09-0113181007710.3390/app131810077Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group StudyAristi Tsokani0Theodoros Dimopoulos1Evangelos Vourazanis2Nikolaos Strimpakos3Evdokia Billis4Garyfallia Pepera5Eleni Kapreli6Health Assessment and Quality of Life Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, GreeceHealth Assessment and Quality of Life Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, GreeceClinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, GreeceHealth Assessment and Quality of Life Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, GreeceTherapeutic Exercise and Sports Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, University of Patras, 26504 Egio, GreeceClinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, GreeceClinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, GreeceBackground: Exercise has indisputable advantages for people with chronic conditions. Engaging in physical activity within natural environments, known as green exercise, contributes to both physical and mental well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of people with chronic conditions and health professionals and the perceived facilitators and barriers to therapeutic green exercise. Methods: This was a qualitative study based on two focus groups. Ethical approval was received, and a thematic analysis was used to analyze the discussions. Results: Seven patients and eight health professionals participated in the study. The thematic analysis yielded thirteen main themes. Safety concerns and inadequate infrastructures were key barriers. Core facilitators were socialization, and multisensory exposure. Conclusions: Patients with chronic conditions and health professionals believe that green exercise improves physical activity engagement, and it would be beneficial if incorporated in the rehabilitation process. There are challenges to overcome to make therapeutic green exercise for people with chronic conditions more accessible.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10077green exercisechronic conditionsbarriersfacilitatorsperceptions |
| spellingShingle | Aristi Tsokani Theodoros Dimopoulos Evangelos Vourazanis Nikolaos Strimpakos Evdokia Billis Garyfallia Pepera Eleni Kapreli Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study Applied Sciences green exercise chronic conditions barriers facilitators perceptions |
| title | Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study |
| title_full | Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study |
| title_short | Barriers and Facilitators for Therapeutic Green Exercise in Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Focus Group Study |
| title_sort | barriers and facilitators for therapeutic green exercise in patients with chronic conditions a qualitative focus group study |
| topic | green exercise chronic conditions barriers facilitators perceptions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10077 |
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