Patients with stress-induced exhaustion disorder and their experiences of physical activity prescription in a group context

ABSTRACT

Background

Physical activity is a useful means to improve symptoms and memory performance to some extent in individuals with stress-induced exhaustion disorder. Individuals in this group commonly do not need to reach the recommended levels of physical activity. Developing methods to support physical activity as a lasting behaviour is important.

Objective

The aim of the study was to explore the processes involved when using physical activity prescription as part of rehabilitation in a group context for individuals with stress-induced exhaustion disorder.

Method

A total of 27 individuals with stress-induced exhaustion disorder participated in six focus groups. The informants underwent a multimodal intervention including prescription of physical activity. The physical activity prescription had a cognitive behaviour approach and included information about physical activity, home assignments and goal setting. The data was analysed with grounded theory method using constant comparison.

Results

The analysis of the data was developed into the core category ‘trying to integrate physical activity into daily life in a sustainable way’, and three categories: ‘acceptance of being good enough’, ‘learning physical activity by doing’ and ‘advocation for physical activity in rehabilitation’. The informants identified that during the physical activity prescription sessions they learned what physical activity was, what was ‘good enough’ in terms of dose and intensity of physical activity, and how to listen to the body’s signals. These insights, in combination with performing physical activity during home assignments and reflecting with peers, helped them incorporate physical activity in a new and sustainable way. A need for more customised physical activity with the ability to adjust to individual circumstances was requested.

Conclusion

Prescription of physical activity in a group context may be a useful method of managing and adjusting physical activity in a sustainable way for individuals with stress-induced exhaustion disorder. However, identifying people who need more tailored support is important.

KEYWORDS:

• Burnout
• physical activity
• focus groups
• goals
• grounded theory

Responsible editor Maria Emmelin

Responsible editor Maria Emmelin

Acknowledgements

We thank all the informants for their valuable contribution to this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

AAS and TE designed the study. AAS led the collection of data, where AFW and MS assisted. All researchers were involved in the analysis process and during building of the theoretical model. AAS drafted the manuscript, where all authors contributed actively. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics and consent

This study was reviewed and approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board, Umeå, Sweden (Dnr 2018/149-31). All informants received information from the project coordinator (first author) and signed an informed consent before entering the study.

Paper context

Physical activity is useful to improve symptoms and memory performance in individuals with SED. Individuals in this group commonly do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity. Developing methods to support physical activity as a lasting sustainable behaviour is therefore important. To our knowledge this is the first study that explores the processes involved when using physical activity prescription as a part of rehabilitation in a group context for individuals with SED.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.