Purpose: To explore patients with cardiovascular diseases' lived experiences of the support given by a text message intervention focusing on the maintenance of physical activity after supervised cardiac rehabilitation.
Methods: In a qualitative study, participants from the feasibility trial FAIR were interviewed individually twice to disclose their lived experiences during and after the trial. Transcribed interviews were analysed based on a phenomenological-hermeneutic method, inspired by Paul Ricoeur's philosophy on narrative and interpretation.
Results: Interviews of eight patients with cardiovascular disease (3 females, median age 57 years (range 37 to 74 years)) revealed two themes, The FAIR intervention as a bridge builder in the transition to being physically active in everyday life and Meaningful conditions for maintaining physical activity. Action plans guided physical activity, while text messages facilitated actions and left an impression of still being under supervision. A frame of reference with physical activity, family, being monitored, having to report back, and getting feedback, were incentives for being physically active.
Conclusion: From a patient perspective, the text message intervention in the feasibility trial FAIR was valuable to support the maintenance of physical activity in the transition from a supervised exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme to everyday life on an individual basis. Participants experienced the intervention to hold their hands in changing behaviour and redefining themselves. Yet, there is an extended need for belonging and personal interactions in future interventions.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; digital health; physical activity; qualitative; rehabilitation.
Patients with cardiovascular disease experience a need for support to maintain physical activity after completing a supervised rehabilitation programme, which is not a part of standard practiceIn a sample of patients with cardiovascular disease, a text message intervention was experienced to provide useful support in the transition from supervised cardiac rehabilitation to being physically active in everyday lifeChanging behaviour is challenging, and digital health interventions give the advantage of influencing health behaviour in real-time with the potential to reach a vast population.