Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41803764›Full record

Trial reportBMC primary care2026

'The focus when you're in the gym is on being well and getting well' - experiences of patients undertaking pulmonary rehabilitation in private physiotherapy and exercise physiology practices.

Jessica A Walsh, Marita T Dale, Zoe J McKeough, Jennifer A Alison, Sarah M Dennis

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC primary care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jessica A WalshSydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Marita T DaleSydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Zoe J McKeoughSydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Jennifer A AlisonSydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Sarah M DennisSydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia. sarah.dennis@sydney.edu.au.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a highly effective intervention for chronic respiratory disease, but many barriers are faced by people accessing traditional hospital-based PR. Alternative PR models have reduced some known barriers, but little qualitative evidence exists that explores the experiences of people undertaking PR in private practice.

objectiveTo explore the acceptability and experiences of people with chronic respiratory disease who undertook PR in private physiotherapy and exercise physiology practices.

methodsParticipants with chronic respiratory disease who enrolled in a randomised controlled feasibility trial comparing 8-weeks of PR conducted in a private practice to usual care were purposively sampled to undertake semi-structured qualitative interviews. Interviews transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsTwenty-two participants were interviewed. Four major themes were identified. Care That Fits described how private practice environments normalised exercise through familiar gym-like settings, fostered belonging through smaller classes and community atmosphere, and provided practical accessibility compared to hospitals. The Therapeutic Alliance highlighted how clinician-participant relationships, characterised by rapport, alignment and appropriate progression, drove engagement. Shifting Capability captured internal transformations including reorientation from complacency to proactive health beliefs, reclaiming of identity from passive illness-focused to capable individuals, and strengthened confidence extending beyond exercise to other life activities. Ongoing Commitment reflected strong desire and ability to maintain exercise, with many continuing at their practice. Minor themes confirmed intervention acceptability, positive physical and psychological outcomes, and variable education experiences. DISCUSSION AND

conclusionsParticipants described the supportive, familiar and accessible environment of a private practice, along with the therapeutic relationship facilitated a shift in mindset and identity. In combination with the skills and knowledge gained from PR, participants completed the program with a strong desire and belief in sustaining exercise and a shift into proactive management of their health.

trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12622001501730. Registration date 1st December 2022.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyPhysical Therapy ModalitiesPrivate PracticePulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveAdultAgedChronic DiseaseFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchChronic obstructive pulmonary diseasePrimary CareQualitativeRehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID41803764
PMCPMC13085257

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.