Factors influencing elderly Arabic immigrants continued physical exercising after a period of physiotherapy - a qualitative study

Abstract: Background: Elderly patients have shown to have difficulties to adhere to a continuous independent exercising after a rehabilitation period. Therefore, there is a need for increased understanding among physiotherapists about how to prepare these patients to be independent. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe which factors elderly Arabic immigrants who has completed a clinical physiotherapy intervention, been advised to exercise on their own and then returned to physiotherapy again perceive as important factors for them to continue physical exercising on their own. Method: Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients aged 65 years and more with Arabic background. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis and were presented in themes and categories with illustrating quotes. Results: The result showed one theme "Factors influencing continued physical exercising "with four categories and sixteen subcategories that emerged from the analysis. The four categories were: Individual-related factors, Psychosocial-related factors, Physiotherapeutic factors, and Authority-supporting factors. All these factors varied in adherence to exercise among the participants, but were all common among all participants. Conclusion: Adherence to exercising in elderly Arabic immigrants individuals appeared to be multifactorial. The result of the study showed that the informants are aware of and acknowledge the influence of the individual-related factors that appeared to be the major motivators/inhibitors for them, such as: pain, mood, limited income, coldness and lack of discipline. Nevertheless the result of the study showed that the informants' views on the training are positive. The training gave them every day routines, to being a part of social life. Moreover getting support from physiotherapists was contributing factor to adherence to exercising. A large number of informants also indicated that they couldn’t continue their training because of the shortage in availability and affordability of training facilities which should be the responsibility of the authorities. Language barrier was expressed as an important factor that could contribute to misunderstanding and therefore non-adherence to exercising.