Table 2 Summary of the content of the supervised exercise component of both interventions
| Session | Education/advice (30 min) | Exercise (1 h) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Introduction to exercise Pool orientation Induction to gym programme Demonstration of gym exercises |
Gym exercise: Gentle warm up – walking and stretches Brief gym circuit Cool down |
| 2 |
Group discussion on goal setting Provision of individual home exercise programme HEP created by physiotherapist based on patient’s individual goals |
Hydrotherapy Warm up Gentle aerobic and buoyancy assisted and resisted exercises |
| 3 |
Understanding pain Group will be shown the YouTube video ‘understanding pain in 5 minutes’ followed by a group question/answer session |
Hydrotherapy Warm up Aerobic, strengthening exercises and informal pool games |
| 4 |
Group discussion about physical activity, introduction to pacing and principles of graded exposure Time to answer any questions from participants |
Hydrotherapy Continuation of above and gentle progression of exercises |
| 5 | Group discussion on pacing and graded exposure including potential challenges that may be arising regarding putting principles into practice |
Hydrotherapy Continuation of above and gentle progression of exercises |
| 6 | Continued group discussion on progress and problem solving | Gym session – participants are free to perform exercises from their individualised exercise programme or other exercises of their own choosing under the guidance of the physiotherapist |
| 7 | Group discussion on progress and problem solving. Introduce topic of maintaining behaviour change |
Gym session Continuation of above and progression of exercise under guidance of physiotherapist |
| 8 | Wrap-up session including preparation for maintaining an active lifestyle and managing setbacks |
Gym session Continuation of above and progression of exercise under guidance of physiotherapist |