Facilitators and barriers to adherence to a physical exercise program for pregnant women through telephysiotherapy: an observational qualitative study

• Grant number: 21/06300-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Sartorato Beleza
• Grantee: Carolina Mathias
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pregnant women are considered a risk group in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a fact that resulted in the removal of this group of women from their occupational activities, health services and increased sedentary lifestyle among pregnant women, representing an important risk factor for health of these women. The Federal Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy regulated telemonitoring and teleconsultation, allowing physiotherapists to provide non-presential assistance, as an alternative to the care of pregnant women in social isolation. However, despite the importance of telephysiotherapy, its recent character in Brazil and sociocultural aspects can compromise the adherence and effectiveness of remotely applied interventions. Objectives: To identify the perceptions of pregnant women participating in a group of preparation exercises for childbirth in relation to the main facilitators and barriers to their adherence to a group of physical exercises in the form of telephysiotherapy. Material and Methods: It's about a retrospective and observational study, with a qualitative and quantitative approach, in which will participate pregnant women who were part of an Online Guidance Group of Physical Exercises. Participants will initially answer an online form with sociodemographic data and obstetric history, followed by a semi-structured interview with questions about teleservice, as well as quantitative data of interest. For data analysis descriptive statistics of quantitative variables will be performed. To analyze the interview, the Collective Subject Discourse method will be used. Expected Results: With this study, it is expected to know the facilitators and barriers of telecare for pregnant women and to systematize a safe and effective online physical exercise protocol for this group. It is expected, with this, to contribute to the clinical practice of physiotherapists and other health professionals, guiding them in the construction of telehealth groups with greater potential for adhesion. In addition to the pandemic, the results of this work may cover pregnant women in the future who do not have easy access to places where they can perform some type of physical exercise, whether due to lack of a suitable place for practice, restrictions on movement or even risky situations or violence. (AU)