Veterans' Motivation, Preference, and Feedback After Completing a Novel Physical Therapy Treatment

This study evaluated Veterans' motivation and perception of different components of a novel physical therapy (PT) treatment aimed at increasing mobility, motivation, and exercise adoption.

Patient-satisfaction surveys were administered to middle-aged to older Veterans (≥50 years old) with slow walking speed who completed the 8-week PT treatment. Mixed methods were employed to assess rating-based responses and examine themes derived from open-ended responses.

Twenty-three participants completed the surveys (mean age: 73 years, Short Physical Performance Battery: 8.5, 96% male). Overall, participants were satisfied with the PT treatment (80%), and over 85% responded that the PT treatment met its objectives by improving their mobility. Veterans rated functional power training as challenging and the most valuable component of Live Long Walk Strong mobility training. Factors that influenced Veterans' motivations for meeting their exercise goals, were having a personal goal, a motivated physical therapist, and scheduled appointments. Participants rated aspects of behavioral coaching to be "somewhat useful" or "very useful." Approximately half of the Veterans did not use the exercise journal to keep track of their home exercises. Reasons for not using the exercise journal were feeling busy or already having an exercise routine.

Our results highlight the importance of prescribing challenging and meaningful PT treatment even among mobility-limited Veterans. Veterans may achieve their exercise goals by being instructed by a motivated physical therapist, having personal goals, and scheduling future appointments. There may be individual variability among those who may benefit from aspects of behavioral coaching and may need to be adjusted based on Veteran's needs.