Patient Preference and Adherence (Jun 2023)
Exercise Self-Efficacy and Fatigue as Predictors of Adherence to Home-Based Exercise Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Abstract
Maha Almarwani,1 Bashaier Alosaimi1,2 1Rehabilitation Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2Physical Therapy Department, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Maha Almarwani, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11433, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 118058400, Email [email protected]: Adherence to home-based exercise programs can be improved by determining the factors associated with exercise adoption and maintenance in patients with multiple sclerosis. However, the factors that influence adherence to home-based exercise have been poorly studied among patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to examine predictors of adherence to home-based exercise programs among patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. A total of forty individuals (mean age = 38.65 ± 8.16 years) diagnosed with multiple sclerosis participated in the study. Outcome measures were self-reported exercise adherence, the Arabic version of exercise self-efficacy, the Arabic version of patient-determined disease steps, and the Arabic version of the fatigue severity scale. All outcome measures were assessed at baseline, except for self-reported adherence to exercise, which was measured after 2 weeks.Results: Our results showed that the adherence to home-based exercise programs was significantly positively correlated with exercise self-efficacy and negatively correlated with fatigue and disability. Exercise self-efficacy (β = 0.62, p < 0.01) and fatigue (β = − 0.24, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of adherence to home-based exercise programs.Conclusion: These findings suggest that exercise self-efficacy and fatigue should be considered by physical therapists when designing a tailored exercise program for patients with multiple sclerosis. This may facilitate greater adherence to the home-based exercise programs and improve functional outcomes.Keywords: adherence, exercise self-efficacy, fatigue, home-based exercise, multiple sclerosis
