Exploring music preferences, behaviours, and experiences of exercising to music in pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases : a cross-sectional survey

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Alhothaly, Omar A. and Houchen-Wollof, Linzy and Ward, Sarah and Chaplin, Emma and Zatloukal, Jakub and Dunlop, Mark and Singh, Sally J. and Orme, Mark W. (2026) Exploring music preferences, behaviours, and experiences of exercising to music in pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases : a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open Quality, 15 (1). e003666. ISSN 2399-6641 (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2025-003666)

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Abstract

Background: Music can enhance exercise performance, but its potential has not been well explored in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The aim was to explore the current music-related behaviours among PR service users with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) to inform future PR service interventions and explore the potential for music to facilitate exercise adherence in this context. Methods: The cross-sectional survey was distributed among PR attendees at the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust in the United Kingdom, between November 2023 and August 2024. Participants completed a 25-item survey exploring (i) relevant technology ownership and music-related behaviours, (ii) preferred music genres and songs and (iii) anticipated benefits/concerns of exercising to music. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Free-text data were analysed using qualitative counting. Results: We surveyed 109 people living with CRDs (51% male, 56% aged ≥70 year, 76% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 82% owned a smartphone). More than half had no prior experience of exercising to music (n=59, 54%). Despite this, almost half of participants listened to music at least once/day (n=54, 49%), primarily via the radio (n=83, 76%) and/or online music platforms (n=76, 70%). Pop (n=39, 36%) and Country (n=38, 35%) were the most popular music genres listened to, with the majority listening to music without headphones (n=64, 59%). The main concern about wearing headphones while exercising was that it might reduce their awareness of the surroundings (n=67, 61%). The perceived benefits of listening to music during exercise were to boost their mood (n=39, 36%) or help maintain their walking pace (n=19, 17%). Conclusion: There is potential to use music as a tool to support exercise in PR. However, lack of prior experience exercising to music, diverse music preferences, safety considerations and the need to increase knowledge of the potential benefits of exercising to music are key challenges. These findings may help future PR services to implement music into their programmes and develop personalised music-based interventions to optimise exercise performance.

ORCID iDs

Alhothaly, Omar A., Houchen-Wollof, Linzy, Ward, Sarah, Chaplin, Emma, Zatloukal, Jakub, Dunlop, Mark ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4593-1103, Singh, Sally J. and Orme, Mark W.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)