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Informal caregivers play an important role in chronic disease management but their experience is often neglected. The objective of this study was to explore the content validity of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) in caregivers of individuals with COPD in Canada and Portugal. Cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with informal caregivers of individuals with moderate to very severe COPD. Participants completed the ZBI and verbalised their thinking process to assess the adequacy of the questionnaire's content and instructions. Content validity was assessed using deductive content analysis of interviews and descriptive statistics of questionnaire responses. Nine caregivers from Canada (age = 67 ± 8 years) and 13 from Portugal (age = 69 ± 7 years) participated. For Canadian caregivers, 3/22 items were not understood, and 8/22 items were not relevant to at least 1/3 of them. For Portuguese caregivers, 1/22 items were not understood, and 20/22 items were not relevant to at least 1/3 of them. The distribution of response choices was approximately symmetrical for 17/22 items in the Canadian sample. The response option "no/never" was selected by at least 75% of Portuguese participants for 18/22 items. The instrument was well understood by caregivers of people with COPD, but its relevance is uncertain. Informal caregivers provide essential care for people living with disability and chronic disease, but their experience is often neglected. The Zarit Burden Interview assesses caregiver burden but has not been validated in caregivers of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In its current form, the Zarit Burden Interview does not adequately represent the experience of COPD caregivers. We recommend selecting tools that assess caregiver burden that have been validated in the caregiver population of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and anxiety are related to physical activity among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although the strength and direction of the reported relationships are inconsistent. This study systematically synthesized the relationships between physical activity and i) depression and ii) anxiety in people with COPD. Physical activity measurement type (objective, self-report) was examined as a moderator of these relationships. A systematic search of physical activity and COPD was conducted from inception to February 2022 across 8 databases. Studies were included if they provided correlation coefficients for the relationship between measures of physical activity and depression or anxiety in people with COPD and were published in English. Two reviewers independently screened, reviewed and extracted data, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. Across 13 studies, a small relationship was found between physical activity and depression, weighted r = −0.15, 95%CI [-0.21, −0.10], which was not moderated by physical activity measurement type. Across 8 studies, a negligible relationship was found between physical activity and anxiety, weighted r = −0.03, 95%CI [-0.11, 0.04], although this was moderated by physical activity measurement type, such that self-reported physical activity had a small negative relationship with anxiety (weighted r = −0.09, 95% CI [-0.15, −0.03]) and objectively measured physical activity had a small positive relationship (weighted r = 0.07, 95% CI [-0.13, 0.26]). In COPD, the bivariate association between physical activity and anxiety and depression are small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being increasingly recognized as a novel health target. Understanding healthcare professionals (HCPs) behavior that influences a reduction in SB in this population could facilitate achieving this target. To explore the determinants of behavior related to HCPs targeting a reduction in SB in people with COPD. We used a qualitative semi-structured interview approach informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Sixteen HCPs were interviewed. Interview transcripts were mapped against the relevant TDF domain(s) and then higher order themes were generated. Directed content analysis resulted in mapping 949 quotes to the TDF domains with environmental context and resources being the most coded domain. Three higher order themes were identified: 1) HCPs need more knowledge on reducing SB; 2) Strategies suggested to include in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to reduce SB; and 3) Barriers to adding SB to PR. Domains of environmental context and resources, knowledge, social/professional role and identity, reinforcement, social influences, skills and beliefs about capabilities were relevant to the study population to reduce SB in people with COPD. Knowledge of SB varied across participants. This study provided information on potential behavioral targets for future interventions that involve HCPs and aim to reduce SB among people with COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the strength of the relationships between self-efficacy and (i) functional exercise capacity and (ii) physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and whether self-efficacy assessment type (i.e., COPD symptoms, exercise-task, exercise-barrier, general, falls) and physical activity assessment type (i.e., self-report vs. objective) are moderators. A systematic search of COPD and self-efficacy concepts was conducted using eight databases from inception to 23 January 2019. Studies were included if they provided correlation coefficients of the relationship between self-efficacy and functional exercise capacity or physical activity, were conducted in adults diagnosed with COPD, and were published in English-language journals. A total of 14 correlation coefficients were included in the self-efficacy and functional exercise capacity meta-analysis, and 16 in the self-efficacy and physical activity meta-analysis. Data were screened, reviewed, and extracted independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. Stronger self-efficacy was associated with better functional exercise capacity (weighted r = 0.38, 95%CI [0.25, 0.50]), and greater physical activity (weighted r = 0.25, 95%CI [0.17, 0.34]). Exercise-task self-efficacy had the strongest relationship to functional exercise capacity (weighted r = 0.64, 95% CI [0.51, 0.73]). For physical activity, the type of self-efficacy most strongly related was inconclusive. In COPD, self-efficacy has a relationship to functional exercise capacity and physical activity, the strength of which is influenced by the choice of self-efficacy measure. An understanding of these relationships will assist clinicians in selecting the self-efficacy measure most closely related to the outcome of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is increasing recognition that the prolonged accumulation of sedentary time (ST) is associated with adverse cardio-metabolic health outcomes. Nevertheless, changing this lifestyle, which has evolved over several decades, is likely to be challenging. This study reports the determinants, perceived by individuals with COPD, as being important for reducing ST. An in-depth understanding of this information is essential when planning an intervention to reduce ST. Fourteen individuals with COPD completed semi-structured one-on-one interviews, which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Both the interview schedule and mapping of data items extracted from the interview transcripts were informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). A total of 867 quotes were mapped to the 14 TDF domains. Seven of the fourteen domains were identified as being important determinants for reducing ST: knowledge, beliefs about consequences, beliefs about capabilities, environmental context and resources, social influences, social/professional role and identity, and behavioural regulation. There was a lack of knowledge regarding the meaning of sedentary behaviour. Participants' desire to be educated by knowledgeable health professionals in a formal programme was a dominant theme across multiple domains. The most frequently reported barriers to reducing ST related to the domains of social/professional role and identity and environmental context and resources, while the most frequently reported enablers were related to the domains pertaining to beliefs about consequences and social influences. Potential strategies to reduce ST among people with COPD include education and other determinants identified in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature suggests self-efficacy is a determinant of physical activity and management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to (1) test the effects of two vicarious experience interventions, coping versus mastery modeling, on self-efficacy in COPD patients performing a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and (2) determine the type of self-efficacy most strongly related to physical activity in COPD patients. After a baseline assessment of self-efficacy (task, coping for exercise, coping for breathing, scheduling, and walking) and potential moderators, 120 COPD patients watched a mastery model or coping model CPET video, or received usual care verbal instructions. Then, self-efficacy was assessed, followed by a CPET, and another assessment of self-efficacy. Fitbits tracked participants' step count the week following contact. Repeated measures MANOVAs assessed the intervention effects and multiple regressions assessed the contribution of self-efficacy subtypes to step count. All self-efficacy subtypes improved in the mastery and coping conditions, although greater improvement of self-efficacy for coping with exercise barriers was observed in the coping condition. Self-efficacy did not improve in the control condition and no moderators were identified. Self-efficacy for coping with exercise barriers was the self-efficacy subtype most strongly related to step count. This research suggests modeling is a useful intervention technique to enhance self-efficacy in COPD patients, although coping models may be more beneficial than mastery models for enhancing capability beliefs during complex tasks. Future interventions in COPD patients should target self-efficacy for coping with exercise barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined the conceptual and statistical distinction between perceived competence and self-efficacy. Although they are frequently used interchangeably, it is possible that distinguishing them might assist researchers in better understanding their roles in developing enduring adaptive behavior patterns. Perceived competence is conceived in the theoretical framework of self-determination theory and self-efficacy is conceived in the theoretical framework of social-cognitive theory.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to empirically distinguish perceived competence from self-efficacy for exercise.Method:Two studies evaluated the independence of perceived competence and self-efficacy in the context of exercise. Using 2 extant instruments with validity and reliability evidence in exercise contexts, the distinctiveness of the 2 constructs was assessed in 2 separate samples (n = 357 middle-aged sedentary adults;n = 247 undergraduate students).Results:Confirmatory factor analysis supported the conceptual and empirical distinction of the 2 constructs.Conclusions:This study supports the conceptual and statistical distinction of perceived competence from perceived self-efficacy. Applications of these results provide a rationale for more precise future theorizing regarding their respective roles in supporting initiation and maintenance of health behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Coaching has been recognised as a demanding occupation, associated with a range of stressors. The extent to which coaches perceive stress is likely to be influenced by various personal and situational factors. The purpose of this study was to identify coaches' levels of perceived stress and examine the personal and situational factors that may influence coaches' perceptions of stress. In total, 502 coaches working with university, college, Canada Games, and/or nationally identified athletes completed this study. Coaches completed an online survey, which included questions regarding demographics, work/job-related considerations, and aspects relating to their contract. Coaches also completed the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983). Overall coaches indicated slightly below average levels of perceived stress (M = 15.13 out of 40) compared with norm-values (Cohen & Janicki-Deverts, 2012). Demographic factors, job-related characteristics, and certain aspects of their contract were associated with coaches' perceptions of stress. In particular, unclear expectations, long-working hours (>40), lack of agreed evaluation criteria, higher salaries, and a lack of social support were related to higher perceptions of stress. As such, the findings of the current study indicate that a reduction in perceived stress is likely to be achieved through a multifaceted approach that addresses multiple factors associated with coaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although participation in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves the health outcomes in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), there are insufficient resources to provide PR to all patients with COPD. Thus, predicting which patients are at risk for drop-out and non-response to rehabilitation is necessary in order to optimize limited resources. This study examined which patient characteristics are predictive of PR drop-out and non-response. 814 patients with COPD took part in standard out-patient PR for 8 weeks. Demographic and standard clinical data were collected before the rehabilitation program had started. Data was analyzed retrospectively to determine if baseline patient characteristics could predict drop-out and non-response to rehabilitation. Drop-out was defined as participation in less than 50% of the rehabilitation sessions. Non-response was defined as improvement less than 4% on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). A discriminant function analysis identified age, smoking history, and health status as predictors of patient drop-out, p < .0001, with younger, current smokers and patients with lower health status being at risk for drop-out. No variables measured significantly predicted who those at risk would be for non-response to rehabilitation, p > .05. Pulmonary function data did not predict drop-out or non-response to PR. These findings indicate that perceived impairment (i.e., health status) is more likely to influence completion of rehabilitation than actual pulmonary impairment and that demographic and standard clinical data do not adequately predict patient drop-out and non-response to rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]