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The cardiac patient and exercise: a sociobehavioral analysis
Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Cardiac patients in an exercise program showed external health locus of control (HLOC) and high self-motivation, but general health motivation and cues to action were low. Perceived illness severity correlated with motivation and HLOC.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac rehabilitation programs are crucial for patient recovery and long-term health.
- Understanding patient psychosocial factors, including health beliefs and motivation, is key to optimizing program adherence and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate health beliefs, health locus of control (HLOC), patient satisfaction, social support, and self-motivation in cardiac patients undergoing outpatient exercise rehabilitation.
- To explore potential differences between myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients regarding these psychosocial factors.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 41 cardiac patients (23 MI, 18 CABG) completed a phase II outpatient cardiac exercise program.
- Data were collected on health beliefs (motivation, illness perceptions, treatment efficacy/barriers, cues to action), HLOC, patient satisfaction, social support, and self-motivation.
- Correlation analysis was used to examine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Patients generally exhibited external HLOC, high satisfaction, social support, and self-motivation.
- General health motivation and cues to action were the only health belief subscales not indicating compliant behavior.
- No significant differences were found between MI and CABG patient groups.
- Key correlations included illness severity with general health motivation and HLOC; perceived severity with resusceptibility; cues to action with satisfaction; and satisfaction with staff.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac patients in this exercise program demonstrated a tendency towards external control and self-motivation, with lower general health motivation and cues to action.
- Perceived illness severity emerged as a significant correlate of motivation and HLOC.
- Psychosocial factors like perceived severity, HLOC, and satisfaction appear interconnected and warrant consideration in cardiac rehabilitation interventions.