Health & well-being experiences of patients with pulmonary fibrosis from dancing intervention

Patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) are recommended pulmonary rehabilitation which improves health outcomes. Such physical activity (PA) programmes are meant to promote sustainable behavioural change as exercise activities are valued, enjoyed and considered meaningful. Dance is one exercise form, but COVID-19 may have negatively impacted participation and quality of life of vulnerable populations due to lockdown and consequent isolation. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the perspectives of adults living with PF who had participated in a dance intervention. In partnership with the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA), A group of 16 patients with PF, members of ILFA, participated in 75 minutes online dance intervention for eight weeks delivered by an experienced choreographer. An exploratory qualitative study using thematic analysis of semi structured interviews was carried out to understand feasibility as well as health and wellbeing impacts of dancing among the participants. Eight participants (6 Female, 2 male; mean age 72.3 years) completed one to one semi-structured qualitative interviews. Four key themes emerged: 1) Dance is fun - we're not exercising 2) Improved sense of wellbeing 3) Positive impact of own online social space 4) Connecting dance impacts to clinical health. Overall, participants mentioned that our virtual dance intervention was acceptable, enjoyable, preferable, and feasible. They strongly perceived health benefits especially breathing efficiency and mental health improvements for managing their day-to-day struggles with PF. Emerging themes could influence the development and evaluation of dance as an alternate form of PA for patients with PF, exploring its benefits and sustainability. As dance is a low-cost activity that can be done at home, dance interventions may be used as an exercise pathway for patients with pulmonary diseases. More organised and continuous events in future may reveal cost-benefit ratio and impact on health outcomes.

Key messages
• Dance – More favourable, higher adherence rate, better health and wellbeing outcomes and achieve higher targets of recommended PA levels in the community.

• Social prescribing – Creating and promoting alternative exercise forms which patient’s can and should enjoy an activity of their choice and have a choice.