Efficacy beliefs in geriatric rehabilitation

Motivation is an important variable in older adults' ability to recover from any disabling event. The theory of self-efficacy states that efficacy beliefs affect behavior, motivational level, thought patterns, and emotional reactions in response to any situation. This study explored the impact of efficacy beliefs on older adults in a rehabilitation program and tested interventions to strengthen efficacy beliefs related to participation in rehabilitation and functional performance. An experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to: the usual care control group or the treatment group. The study was completed on an inpatient geriatric rehabilitation unit. The sample consisted of 77 participants, 55 women and 22 men with a mean age of 78 +/- 7.2. Individuals in the treatment group received three efficacy enhancing interventions: role modeling, verbal persuasion, and physiological feedback. Baseline data were collected within 48 hours of admission and included four investigator-developed efficacy measures: Functional Inventory Measure, Participation Index, Numeric Rating Scale for pain, amount of analgesic used for pain, and Health Status. With the exception of Health Status, these measures were again completed within 48 hours of discharge. Admission performance was the only statistically significant predictor of efficacy beliefs. All efficacy beliefs increased over time and were significantly correlated with performance behaviors and length of stay. The treatment group had stronger efficacy beliefs regarding participation, higher participation at discharge, and less pain than the control group. Efficacy beliefs, both self-efficacy and outcome expectations, are related to participation, functional performance, and length of stay. Interventions to strengthen these beliefs improved participation in rehabilitation and decreased pain. Consideration of motivation can facilitate rehabilitation and help older adults obtain and maintain their highest functional level.