ABSTRACT
Background: The benefits of physical training on exercise capacity, pulmonary functioning, and health-related quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is well documented [1], meaning it is currently considered part of standard CF care to encourage a physically active lifestyle [2,3]. COVID-19 limited opportunities for people with CF to undergo structured exercise programs in the hospital, gym, or leisure center. To address this, we launched three progressive on-demand exercise programs on Beam (a specialist online exercise, education and wellbeing platform for the CF community, www.beamfeelgood.com) aimed at varying disease severity and baseline fitness levels. Each 12-session program was curated by a CF physiotherapist and designed to build strength and cardiovascular fitness, improve CF symptom management, and increase confidence to exercise. Participants were offered remote coaching to support completion of the program, including email and text support, and joint workouts. Here,we look at the impact of this program on self-reported measures of health and exercise perceptions. Method(s): Adults with CFwere invited via social media to participate in one of three Getting Started exercise programs on Beam. Participants selfselected the program that was most suited to them based on their disease severity and current fitness levels, as outlined in Table 1. Participants were asked to complete pre- and post-program surveys evaluating their general health, emotional wellbeing, appetite, sleep, motivation, enjoyment, confidence, and time and limitations to exercise on a five-point scale. Result(s): Between November 2021 and March 2022, of 71 people signed up for a Getting Started program, 36 completed a minimum of one class, and 16 completed the entire 12-sessions in a program. Of the 16 who(Table Presented) Audience and aims of the three Beam programs completed a program, 75% felt more motivated, 68% felt fitter, 75% felt stronger, and 65.5% were happier. All said their enjoyment of exercise was the same or more than before (37.5% saying they enjoyed it more), and 43.7% said they became more confident. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion(s): This work suggests that CF-specific online exercise programs have the potential to increase strength and cardiovascular fitness levels as well as motivation, confidence, and enjoyment to exercise in adults with CF, although these outcomes were self-reported, and a research trial to evaluate impact on clinical outcome measures is warranted. Additionally, further research and service development is required to improve the programs and increase activation and completion of the exercise programs with greater consideration of behavior change interventions.Copyright © 2022, European Cystic Fibrosis Society. All rights reserved
ABSTRACT
Objectives: COVID-19 has limited in-person networking opportunities worldwide. To address this, we formed a collaboration of representatives from Australia’s CFPhysio.com Inc, the UK’s Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and US specialist CF physical therapists (PT) with the objective of creating a virtual international discussion forum. To ensure wider interest, views were gathered from international CF colleagues via a self-designed online survey. Here we present survey results and planned outcomes. Methods: Survey topics included respondent demographics;professional development and research priorities;and future forum interest. The online survey circulated between Oct-Dec 2021 via social media channels, established networks and targeted emails to international physio and PT groups. Results: Eighty-four people responded - 94% physio/PTs;74% hospitalbased;equal split between paediatrics and adults;30% currently researchactive. 100% of respondents were interested in attending virtual discussion forums, with 73% keen to plan sessions. The top 3 professional development and research priorities are described in the table. (Table Presented) Conclusions: Results indicate international CF PT/physio interest in a virtual discussion forum. In response to this interest, we developed our vision "To create a virtual space for clinicians and researchers across the globe, working in CF, to learn and to collaborate and deliver on innovative and robust research into the future." Quarterly virtual discussion forums start in Spring 2022, hosted and promoted by beamfeelgood.com (a global exercise and education platform for people with CF and their clinicians). Sessions address the top professional development priorities identified from survey results and aim to facilitate discussions between colleagues to enhance clinical practice and forge future research collaborations.