Exercise adherence following physical therapy intervention in older adults with impaired balance.
OBJECTIVE
This study looked at adherence, and factors affecting adherence, to a prescribed home exercise program (HEP) in older adults with impaired balance following discharge from physical therapy.


METHODS
The subjects were 556 older adults (> or =65 years of age) who were discharged from physical therapy during the period 2000 to 2003.


METHODS
A survey was developed to determine participation in a HEP. Univariate logistic regressions identified specific barriers and motivators that were associated with exercise participation following discharge from physical therapy.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of respondents reported receiving a HEP; 37% no longer performed it. Change in health status was the primary reason for poor adherence to a HEP. Eight barriers (no interest, poor health, weather, depression, weakness, fear of falling, shortness of breath, and low outcomes expectation) were associated with a lack of postdischarge participation in exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise adherence following discharge from a physical therapy program is poor among older adults. Barriers, not motivators, appear to predict adherence.
Forkan
Rebecca
R
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6490, USA.
Pumper
Breeanna
B
Smyth
Nicole
N
Wirkkala
Hilary
H
Ciol
Marcia A
MA
Shumway-Cook
Anne
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004856:Postural Balance; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*