An examination of patient adherence and feasibility of different home-based exercise programs: a multicenter...

Home-based exercise programs (HEPs) are critical for maintaining patient functionality after hospital discharge, yet a consensus on the most effective instruction method is lacking.

This study aims to examine the feasibility and patient adherence to different HEPs in adult and pediatric patients.

This multicenter, randomized controlled study included 237 adult and 60 pediatric patients. The adult group was given HEPs primarily consisting of strengthening exercises, while the pediatric group focused on stretching. Patients were randomized into one of three groups: verbal instruction only, verbal instruction together with a brochure, and verbal instruction together with a video. Participants and caregivers were evaluated using standardized tools such as the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) or Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Exercise adherence was measured by the level of confidence in performing the exercises, and exercise feasibility was measured by the number of days exercised and exercise completion percentage.

The mean age was 41.50 ± 16.84 years for adults and 12.87 ± 3.92 years for children. No significant difference was observed among the exercise learning types in the adult group (exercise confidence level: p = .936, η² = 0.001; number of days exercised: p = .987, η² = 0.001; exercise completion: p = .942, Cramer's V = 0.108). Similarly, no significant difference was found in the pediatric group (exercise confidence level: p = .536, η² = 0.200; number of days exercised: p = .266, η² = 0.045; exercise completion: p = .342, Cramer's V = 0.194). Furthermore, no significant difference in adherence was found between the age groups.

This study suggests that the method of providing HEPs does not significantly impact adherence in either adult or pediatric patient populations. This finding indicates that video-based instruction is not superior to traditional methods like verbal instruction or brochures in improving exercise adherence.