The experiences of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using activity monitors in everyday life: an interpretative phenomenological study

PurposeUnderstanding the experiences of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using activity monitors in daily life could support the utilisation of technology within healthcare to increase physical activity and support self-management. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of people with COPD using activity monitors at home in everyday life.MethodsSemi-structured face-to-face or telephone interviews were conducted with seven people with COPD between August 2018 and June 2020. Participants had all used an activity monitor within the last year (Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch). Interviews were analysed in-depth using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).ResultsFour themes, developed using IPA, highlight participants' engagement with activity monitors and integrating them into their lives: (1) Motivational features to monitor activity, (2) Importance of setting achievable goals, (3) Developing knowledge and awareness, and (4) Integration into everyday life for self-management.ConclusionActivity monitors were perceived to be beneficial and useful to people with COPD, not just for monitoring their activity, but also helping to self-manage their condition. Activity monitors may be a useful tool within rehabilitation and healthcare services for COPD. Activity monitors were beneficial for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to monitor their physical activity and support self-management of their COPD.People with COPD could see and make sense of their activity levels, set activity goals and increase their motivation from the objectively monitored activity.Activity monitors can help to support individual goal setting and facilitate ownership, but support is needed to set achievable and realistic goals.Healthcare practitioners need to be aware of the potential negative effects of using activity monitors on mental or physical health and wellbeing and support people with COPD to manage pressure and expectations of meeting their goals.