A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers, Facilitators, and Preferences Regarding a Cardiac Rehabilitation-Based Behavioral Weight Loss Program in Adults with Atrial Fibrillation and Obesity

from an AF specialty clinic in Canada. Patients participated in semi-structured interviews regarding perceived barriers, facilitators, and preferences to a proposed BWLT+ CR program consisting of 12 wk of supervised CR exercise with weekly, virtual, group-based BWLT sessions followed by bi-weekly follow up support for 12 wk. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Twenty patients (9 women; 100% white) participated in the interviews. Data were categorized to describe barriers (e.g., time constraints), facilitators (e.g., accountability) and preferences (e.g., virtual participation options). Four overarching themes emerged: 1) gender differences in prior weight loss attempts; 2) AF symptoms are manageable; 3) need for more AF patient education; and 4) a desire for flexibility. In conclusion, patients unanimously reported that a BWLT+ CR program was desirable and had few barriers to participating. Results informed modifications to a BWLT+ CR program which is currently being tested in a randomized clinical trial.