Reasons for dropout from exercise programs in post-coronary patients.
The dropout rate in the 7-yr Ontario Exercise Heart Collaborative Study of post-coronary men engaged in exercise programs was examined in order to determine possible contributing factors. A questionnaire pertaining to psychosocial and program-related variables was distributed to 728 subjects who were previously assigned randomly on the basis of four prognostic risk factors (occupation, personality, hypertension, and angina) into exercise groups: low intensity exercise (LIE), and high intensity exercise (HIE). Comparisons of answers by the 639 respondents (266 dropouts; 373 compliers) were made initially by chi-square analysis to determine significant categories of questions and, subsequently, by a logistic transform to determine the specific questions which related significantly to the dropout rate. It was found that three main categories were associated with a high dropout rate: convenience aspects of the exercise center, perceptions of the exercise program, and family/lifestyle factors. These three main categories should be carefully considered when designing and implementing potential compliance-improving strategies for secondary prevention exercise programs entailing long-term adherence.
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000150:complications; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012306:Risk; D014937:Work