Promoting Participation in Physical Activity and Exercise Among People Living with Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study of Strategies Used by People with Pain and Their Recommendations for Health Care Providers

OBJECTIVE: To explore strategies used by people living with chronic pain when participating in physical activity and exercise and their recommendations for health care providers when promoting participation in physical activity and exercise. DESIGN: Interpretive description qualitative study. SETTING: Participants were recruited from primary care sites and a hospital-based chronic pain clinic in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. SUBJECTS: Adults (>18 years of age) who self-identified as experiencing chronic pain (three months' duration) were interviewed. METHODS: In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed for accuracy by the interviewer. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Peer debriefing, reflexivity, and multiple in-person meetings were used to establish trustworthiness. RESULTS: Sixteen adults (five men, 11 women) with a median age of 53 years were interviewed. Strategies used by people living with chronic pain to participate in physical activity and exercise included 1) finding the motivation, 2) setting up for success, 3) leveraging social support, and 4) managing pain and discomfort during activity. Recommendations for health care providers when promoting participation in physical activity and exercise for people living with chronic pain included 1) the importance of listening, 2) providing tailored advice, 3) being supportive, and 4) making physical activity and exercise programming accessible. CONCLUSIONS: People living with chronic pain reported using multiple strategies to participate in physical activity and exercise. Recommendations for health care providers centered on the importance of listening and taking a supportive approach when promoting engagement in physical activity and exercise for this population.