Assessing physical activity levels in people living with a stoma

Lowe, Bethany; Alsaleh, Eman; Blake, Holly

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is important for physical and mental health although people with a stoma commonly experience a reduction in physical activity following their stoma formation.
Aim: To assess whether adults with a stoma achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, and to identify any barriers and facilitators that may influence their participation.
Method: Community-residing adults living with a urostomy, ileostomy and colostomy were recruited from six regional stoma support groups. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their physical activity levels, self-efficacy, perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity, depression, body image and stoma-related quality of life.
Results: 94 adults completed the questionnaire (81% response rate). 84% of participants did not achieve government recommended levels of physical activity. Less active participants perceived greater barriers to physical activity, and had lower self-efficacy for exercise than those who were more active. Reported physical activity was not associated with body image, depression or stomarelated quality of life.
Conclusion: Most of the community-residing adults living with a stoma in our sample were physically inactive. Interventions that reduce barriers to exercise, and build self-efficacy in people with a stoma may help to increase their physical activity levels and reduce risks of chronic disease associated with sedentary lifestyles.

Citation

Lowe, B., Alsaleh, E., & Blake, H. (2020). Assessing physical activity levels in people living with a stoma. Nursing Standard, 35(1), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2019.e11278

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 9, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 19, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 8, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 10, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 10, 2018
• Journal: Nursing Standard
• Print ISSN: 0029-6570
• Publisher: RCN Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 70-77
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2019.e11278
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1157141
• Publisher URL: https://journals.rcni.com/nursing-standard/evidence-and-practice/assessing-physical-activity-levels-in-people-living-with-a-stoma-ns.2019.e11278/abs