The effects of an intervention on exercise adherence in older adults discharged from a geriatric day hospital: A pilot study

Although physiotherapists prescribe exercise programs for older adults in order to improve or maintain their mobility, it is unknown if these exercise programs are adhered to, especially after discontinuing physiotherapy treatment. The objectives of this mixed-method study were: to determine adherence to exercise of older adults who were given home-based exercise programs to continue after being discharged from a Geriatric Day Hospital (GDH); to test the effectiveness of telephone and home visit interventions centered on improving self-efficacy for exercise; to determine if there is a relationship between self-efficacy for exercise, adherence to exercise and mobility; and to explore older adults' perceptions of the barriers to and outcome expectations of home exercise programs.;Results indicated no significant differences among groups in self-efficacy for exercise, adherence to exercise rates, and mobility. Forty-one percent of participants under-exercised and the primary reasons for non-adherence were illness and perceived lack of time to exercise. Ninety percent of the participants in the intervention groups experienced technique problems with their exercise program.;Recommendations for clinical practice include formal evaluation of adherence to exercise and intention/self-efficacy for exercise. Recommendations for research include a larger follow-up study and a refined research protocol.;The mixed method study involved 18 participants randomly assigned to one of three groups: home visit, telephone or control. One week after GDH discharge, all participants were assessed for mobility and cognition and self efficacy for exercise. At 4 and 7 weeks after discharge, participants in the intervention groups received telephone calls or home visits. These interventions included strategies to improve self-efficacy of exercise. At 10 weeks, all participants were reassessed and adherence to exercise rates were determined. In addition, all participants were interviewed about perceived barriers to exercise and outcome expectations for exercise.