Qualitative Research on Postoperative Exercise Rehabilitation Behavior of Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a chronic condition caused by atherosclerosis, leading to limb ischemia and reduced quality of life. While surgical interventions like angioplasty improve vascular patency, postoperative exercise rehabilitation is critical but often sees low adherence, with dropout rates over 60%. Research often overlooks patients' subjective experiences and barriers to rehabilitation. Aim: This study explores postoperative exercise rehabilitation behaviors in PAD patients, aiming to identify influencing factors and inform targeted intervention strategies to enhance recovery and quality of life. Methods: A qualitative study involved 18 PAD patients (mean age 63.1 ± 13.1 years, 77.8% male) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, engaged in exercise rehabilitation for ≥2 months. Semi-structured interviews (40-60 min) were conducted from December 2024 to February 2025 until data saturation. Data were analyzed using NVivo 12, with themes identified through peer debriefing and an audit trail to ensure credibility. Results: Patients reported partial walking improvements, though recovery varied by age and compliance. Low-intensity exercises like walking were preferred. Facilitators included medical guidance, perceived functional gains, social/familial support, and digital tools. Barriers were physiological (pain, weakness, ulcers) and psychological/social (lack of support, isolation, limited knowledge). Conclusion: Exercise rehabilitation in PAD patients is shaped by diverse facilitators and barriers. Personalized interventions leveraging medical guidance, social support, and digital tools can boost adherence and outcomes. Addressing physiological and psychological barriers is essential for patient-centered rehabilitation. Future efforts should explore scalable, technology-driven solutions to optimize recovery.