Adhesion of older women to a home exercise program post ambulatory training

ABSTRACT

Practice of therapeutic exercises for older adults aims at better functional performance. It is an everyday practice on physiotherapy, the prescription of home exercises; although its effectiveness depends on adhesion, which is usually very low. The aim of the study was to evaluate older women´s adhesion to and retention in a home program and to identify the factors associated with this practice. This study is exploratory and observational, n=96 older women, (71.3 years old ±5.16) subjected to a program of home exercises. Clinical and functional measures were applied with an adhesion questionnaire to identify motivational factors and barriers. Retention rate was 86% and adhesion was 36%, with a minimum frequency of 85%. Regression models applied were not significant and comparative static analysis between groups verified a high occurrence of negative factors. Correlation absence between worse functional and physical performance with low adhesion highlights such outcome is complex, has multi factors and should also be explored regarding social, emotional and cultural aspects.

Keywords:
Exercise Therapy; Aged; Patient Compliance; Exercises