Measurement, determinants, barriers, and interventions for exercise adherence: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Behavioral Science
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Exercise adherence is vital for rehabilitation outcomes.
• Limited evidence exists on multifaceted components of exercise adherence.
• This review synthesizes literature on exercise adherence measurement, determinants, barriers, and interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize existing literature on exercise adherence.
• To identify measurement tools, determinants, and barriers.
• To review evidence-based interventions supporting exercise adherence.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review following PRISMA extension guidelines.
• Searched major databases: PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Web of Science.
• Qualitative synthesis of 72 included articles.

Main Results:

• No gold standard for measuring exercise adherence; questionnaires and logs are common.
• Determinants include personal, disease, therapy, provider, and health system factors.
• Barriers include lack of caregiver, low health literacy, poor communication, cost, and access issues.
• Interventions include behavioral strategies, self-efficacy enhancement, motivational therapy, and mHealth.

Conclusions:

• Non-adherence to exercise is a significant clinical challenge.
• Standardized guidelines for exercise adherence evaluation and management are lacking.
• Future research should focus on objective measures and long-term effects of interventions.