Losing, regaining, and continuing to build self-confidence–a qualitative, phenomenological study of being physically active with a type B aortic dissection

Purpose: To gain a comprehensive understanding of experiences related to being physically active in participants with an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection. Materials and methods: We performed a qualitative, phenomenological study. First-person accounts of adults, who at least one year ago had an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection, were collected using semi-structured interviews. The audio recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: We collected, in total, 644 min interview data from 14 participants. Three patterns were interpreted: losing self-confidence, regaining self-confidence, and continuing to build self-confidence. Experiencing symptoms when pushing limits, challenges with energy management, and side effects of medication caused loss of self-confidence. Changes in identity, reaching milestones that reflect improvement, and support from others and tools helped participants regain self-confidence. To continuing to build self-confidence, participants indicated they needed success experiences and activities make life worth living. Conclusions: Self-confidence in adults with an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection changes immediately after the diagnosis of the aortic dissection. Rehabilitation professionals can support adults regaining and continuing to build self-confidence, aiming for the perfect balance between blood pressure regulation, quality of life, and being physically active.Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation professionals should support regaining and continuing to build self-confidence related to being physically active in adults with type B aortic dissection in the early stages of recovery and beyond. Adults with an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection want rehabilitation professionals to tell them primarily what is possible (recommendations) rather than what is not allowed (rules). Rehabilitation professionals should help adults with an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection to explore, push and, ultimately, accept limits related to exercise tolerance.