Predictors of exercise compliance in individuals with Gulf War veterans illnesses: Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study 470.
Although the health benefits of exercise for individuals with Persian Gulf War veterans illnesses (GWVI) are documented, many of these individuals do not exercise regularly enough to obtain benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors predicting exercise compliance among individuals with GWVI in a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial. Participants were 1,092 veterans who reported at least two of the following cardinal symptoms of GWVI: (1) fatigue, (2) musculoskeletal pain, and (3) cognitive problems. Participants received exercise alone or exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The overall level of compliance was relatively low during the exercise treatment phase (46.2%) and decreased by one-half during the follow-up period (23.0%). Predictors of compliance during treatment included less pain and greater age, motivation, and body mass index. Predictors of compliance during the follow-up period included less pain and greater age. The results highlight factors that affect adoption and maintenance of physical activity in a population with GWVI.
Mori
DeAnna L
DL
Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Psychology Service, MA 02130, USA.
Sogg
Stephanie
S
Guarino
Peter
P
Skinner
James
J
Williams
David
D
Barkhuizen
Andre
A
Engel
Charles
C
Clauw
Daniel
D
Donta
Sam
S
Peduzzi
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D047830:Gulf War; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D018923:Persian Gulf Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011379:Prognosis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data