Baseline characteristics of the study participants (n=28*)
| Gender, female/male, n (%) | 24/3 (89/11) |
| Age, years, median (min–max) | 52 (37–71) |
| Living with children, n (%) | 11 (41) |
| Education, n (%) | |
| Elementary school | 3 (11) |
| High school | 4 (15) |
| University | 20 (74) |
| Occupational status, n (%) | |
| Full-time or part-time work | 19 (70) |
| Old age pension or disability pension | 4 (15) |
| Full-time sick leave | 4 (15) |
| Years since diagnosis, n (%) (years) | |
| <1 | 3 (11) |
| 1–5 | 8 (30) |
| 6–10 | 4 (15) |
| >10 | 12 (44) |
| Other chronic conditions, n (%) | 9 (33) |
| Perceived health previous week, NRS† (0=best imaginable health, 10=worst imaginable health), median (min–max) | 4 (1–8) |
| Pain previous week, NRS† (0=no pain, 10=worst pain), median (min–max) | 3 (1–9) |
| Fatigue in the previous week, NRS† (0=no fatigue, 10=worst fatigue), median (min–max) | 5 (1–8) |
| Activity limitations previous week HAQ‡ (0=no limitations, 3=severe limitations), median (min–max) | 0 (0–1.5) |
| Exercised regularly before disease onset,§ n (%) | 15 (56) |
| Exercised with friends or in exercise groups,¶ n (%) | 14 (52) |
| Social support for physical activity,** n (%) | 24 (89) |
| Uses PA applications and/or internet services, n (%) | 5 (19) |
| Current PA ≥150 min of at least moderate intensity in the past week, IPAQ,†† n (%) | 10 (37) |
| Current aerobic exercise >30 min ≥5 days/week,‡‡ n (%) | |
| Precontemplation, no plans within 6 months | 6 (22) |
| Contemplation, plans within 6 months | 3 (11) |
| Preparation, plans within 1 month | 4 (15) |
| Action, performed for <6 months | 2 (7) |
| Maintenance, performed for >6 months | 1 (4) |
| Used to, but less during previous months | 11 (41) |
| Current strength training ≥ twice/week,‡‡ n (%) | |
| Precontemplation, no plans within 6 months | 3 (11) |
| Contemplation, plans within 6 months | 4 (15) |
| Preparation, plans within 1 month | 1 (4) |
| Action, performed for <6 months | 5 (19) |
| Maintenance, performed for >6 months | 2 (7) |
| Used to, but less during previous months | 12 (44) |
*One of the 28 participants did not complete the questionnaire.
†Numerical Rating Scale.26 ,27
‡Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index.28
§‘Did you exercise regularly (≥30 min at least three times/week) before disease onset?’
¶‘Do you currently exercise with friends or in exercise groups?’
**‘Do your friends and family support your physical activity?’
††International Physical Activity Questionnaire.29
‡‡Readiness to change questionnaire30 modified to include alternative ‘used to’.
min, minimum; max, maximum; PA, physical activity.