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Exercise adherence following physical therapy intervention in older adults with impaired balance
Rebecca Forkan1, Breeanna Pumper, Nicole Smyth
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6490, USA.
Background And Purpose:
This study looked at adherence, and factors affecting adherence, to a prescribed home exercise program (HEP) in older adults with impaired balance following discharge from physical therapy.
Subjects:
The subjects were 556 older adults (> or =65 years of age) who were discharged from physical therapy during the period 2000 to 2003.
Methods:
A survey was developed to determine participation in a HEP. Univariate logistic regressions identified specific barriers and motivators that were associated with exercise participation following discharge from physical therapy.
Results:
Ninety percent of respondents reported receiving a HEP; 37% no longer performed it. Change in health status was the primary reason for poor adherence to a HEP. Eight barriers (no interest, poor health, weather, depression, weakness, fear of falling, shortness of breath, and low outcomes expectation) were associated with a lack of postdischarge participation in exercise.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Exercise adherence following discharge from a physical therapy program is poor among older adults. Barriers, not motivators, appear to predict adherence.
