Experiences of kinesiophobia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative phenomenological study

To explore the lived experiences of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exhibit kinesiophobia, and to provide a reference for medical professionals in developing coping strategies. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from a tertiary hospital and an affiliated community health center in China. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 patients with COPD and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Analysis of the interview data revealed five core themes: (1) manifestations of kinesiophobia as fear of breathlessness, pain, fatigue, and falls; (2) catastrophic cognition of symptoms manifested as the belief that exercise can induce various discomfort symptoms and confusion of post exercise physiological discomfort with acute attacks; (3) enhanced risk perception of activity among patients and family members; (4) behavioral avoidance, both active and passive; and (5) perceived negative consequences manifested as decreased endurance and increased sedentary behavior. Kinesiophobia in patients with COPD is multidimensional, dynamically evolving, and socially reinforced. Breaking the fear–avoidance cycle requires comprehensive interventions addressing cognitive, behavioral, and familial issues.