Welcome to the Holsworth Research Initiative current research blog series in 2023, highlighting the research that is currently being conducted within the HRI Streams and by affiliated research students. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating research journey of Hugo De Amorim, a PhD student focusing on barriers and facilitators for exercise-based rehabilitation in the management of hip/knee osteoarthritis. Hugo’s research aims not only to identify the obstacles preventing individuals from adhering to exercise-based rehabilitation but also to develop strategies to overcome these barriers. Hugo has recently completed his mid-candidature assessment and has an expected completion date in early 2025.
Aims and Objectives
The first objective of Hugo’s PhD thesis is to comprehensively review the existing literature on methods and instruments used to identify barriers and facilitators to exercise-based rehabilitation in people with musculoskeletal conditions. By examining the current landscape of research, Hugo hopes to gain insights into the most effective ways to identify these crucial factors.
The second aim of Hugo’s research is to identify the barriers and facilitators that impact individual adherence to exercise-based rehabilitation programs. By analyzing the literature, Hugo will shed light on the multitude of factors that can either hinder or enhance an individual’s ability to commit to a rehabilitation regimen.
To gather first-hand data, Hugo plans to conduct a survey informed by the Theoretical Domain Framework. This survey will investigate the specific barriers and facilitators that individuals with knee or hip osteoarthritis face in adhering to exercise-based rehabilitation. By including participants from both metropolitan and regional/rural areas, Hugo aims to capture a diverse range of experiences and challenges.
With the insights gained from the survey, Hugo will then conduct a feasibility study. This study will explore the practicality of implementing a telehealth intervention based on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy (MI-CBT) strategies. By integrating these evidence-based techniques into a telehealth framework, he hopes to minimize the identified barriers and enhance the facilitators, thereby improving adherence to exercise-based rehabilitation.
Are you an individual living with hip or knee osteoarthritis?
Your input and experiences are invaluable to Hugo’s research! We invite you to participate in a survey designed to identify barriers and facilitators to exercise-based rehabilitation in people with musculoskeletal conditions.
By completing this survey, you will not only contribute to scientific knowledge but also potentially pave the way for future improvements in the management of hip/knee osteoarthritis. Your insights and experiences could directly impact the development of strategies to overcome barriers and enhance facilitators, ultimately improving adherence to exercise-based rehabilitation.
To participate in the survey, please click on the following link: https://redcap.link/BarriersFacilitatorsSM
Your participation is completely voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
