[A Prediction Model of Exercise Level in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Health Psychology
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) significantly impacts quality of life, with exercise crucial for management.
• Understanding the psychological drivers of exercise adherence in AS is vital for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and validate a model predicting exercise levels in AS patients using Self-Determination Theory.
• To investigate the causal pathways from healthcare provider autonomy support to exercise behavior.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 221 AS patients from two tertiary hospitals.
• Data collected using validated questionnaires on autonomy support, basic psychological needs, motivation, and exercise levels.

Main Results:

• The hypothetical model demonstrated good fitness.
• Autonomy support positively influenced patients' autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
• Autonomous motivation, driven by psychological needs and autonomy support, significantly predicted higher exercise levels.

Conclusions:

• Autonomous motivation, autonomy support, competence, and relatedness are key predictors of exercise levels in AS.
• Findings suggest developing interventions focused on these psychological factors to improve exercise adherence in AS patients.