A Qualitative Study Investigating Health Care Professionals' Views on Barriers to Integrating Physical Activity Into Mild Cognitive Impairment/Dementia Care.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate health care professionals' (HCPs) views on barriers to integrating physical activity (PA) into mild cognitive impairment/dementia care. Semistructured online interviews form 16 HCPs were completed between November 2022 and December 2022. Data were subjected to thematic analysis and were later mapped deductively to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Four themes were identified: (1) "Dementia-inclusive infrastructure or PA recommendations have not yet been systematically developed and implemented;" (2) "Roles and challenges of the multidisciplinary team;" (3) "HCPs believe that patients' PA participation is influenced by their disease or individual factors;" and (4) "HCPs' thoughts on current practice and opinions." Deductive mapping of these themes revealed that 13 of the 14 Theoretical Domains Framework domains influenced it. Integrating PA into mild cognitive impairment/dementia care is subject to several modifiable determinants. Policymakers should focus on improving the environmental context and resources to encourage PA in mild cognitive impairment/dementia.