Exercise Self-Efficacy and Fatigue as Predictors of Adherence to Home-Based Exercise Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

• Published in: Patient preference and adherence 2023-01, Vol.17, p.1441-1449
• Main Authors: Almarwani, Maha, Alosaimi, Bashaier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adherence; Care and treatment; exercise self-efficacy; Exercise therapy; Fatigue; Home care; home-based exercise; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Multiple sclerosis; Original Research; Patient compliance; Patient outcomes; Prognosis; Psychological aspects; Self-efficacy (Psychology)
• ISSN: 1177-889X; 1177-889X
• DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S414884

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. 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. 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, < 0.01) and fatigue (β = -0.24, = 0.04) were significant predictors of adherence to home-based exercise programs. 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.