A cross‐sectional follow‐up study of physical activity in adults with moderate and severe haemophilia

Abstract

AbstractAimTo conduct a cross‐sectional follow‐up assessment of physical activity (PA) in people with moderate and severe haemophilia (PwMSH) from the Irish Personalised Approach to the Treatment of Haemophilia (iPATH) study.MethodsBetween June–December 2021, participants’ PA was measured over one week using accelerometery, and was compared with their previously measured data from the original iPATH assessment. Self‐awareness of PA and the impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic on PA, pain, mobility and function were retrospectively examined using a survey.ResultsOf 30 participants who returned surveys [n = 19, severe (FVIII, <.01 IU/mL); n = 4, moderate (FVIII, .01–.05 IU/mL); n = 7, severe (FIX, <.01 IU/mL); age: 47 (36, 55) years], 28 completed accelerometery (follow‐up time: 3 years). There were no significant differences in accelerometer PA (all p > .05), but achievement of World Health Organisation guidelines increased (67.9%–75.0%; p = .646). Increased self‐awareness of PA was reported by 76.7%, and 66.7% reported desires to become more physically active. Compared to normal, most reported either no differences or lower levels of PA during lockdown restrictions. Self‐reported PA increased for most when restrictions eased from April 2021 onwards. Beyond the pandemic, concerns included pain and access to exercise resources.ConclusionSelf‐reported PA throughout the pandemic was variable, whilst there were no significant differences in objectively measured PA between assessment periods, despite reports of increased self‐awareness and desires to be physically active at follow‐up. Further qualitative research is needed to design personalised PA and health interventions, capturing perspectives of patients, their families, and multi‐disciplinary haemophilia healthcare providers.