Adherence to Home-Based Exercise Program and Its Predictors Among Patients Treated in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department in Amhara Region Hospitals in Ethiopia: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Adherence to prescribed exercise is linked to improved treatment results for physical performance and function. Failure to adhere to the home-exercise program will adversely affect the outcome of the treatment, decrease the treatment’s efficacy, and be a cause for physiotherapists to alter treatment unnecessarily. The effectiveness of physical exercise can be determined when the patient complies with exercise therapy. Hence, this study aimed to assess patient adherence to home-based exercise programs and identify the predictors that affect the adherence of patients to home-based exercise programs. Methods: From April 1st to May 30th, 2021, a prospective multi-institution cross-sectional study was conducted at the comprehensive specialized hospitals of Gondar University, Felege Hiwot, and Tibebe Ghion. Data from 300 participants were collected through face-to-face interviews and patient medical file reviews. Binary logistic regression was done to identify predictors of patient adherence to home exercise programs with SPSS version 20. The strength of the association was represented by the adjusted odds ratio. Results: A 95.84% (n=300) response rate with 18–80 years age range participated in this study. Among the study participants, 35.3% (n=106) (95% CI: 29.7–40.3) of them were found adherent to home-based exercise programs. Age (adjusted OR 3.13 (1.031–9.507)), gender (AOR 2.67 (1.322–6.923)), education level (AOR 4.34 (1.101–17.070)), occupation (adjusted OR 4.89 (1.184–20.228)), remembering exercise (adjusted OR 2.62 (1.116–6.161)), and patient interest in exercise (adjusted OR 3.08 (1.103–8.574)) were independent predictors of exercise adherence. Conclusion: The proportion of adherence to home exercise programs was relatively poor. Older age, being female, uneducated, employed, and busy work status patients had a high tendency of non-adherence. Forgetfulness, perceived exercise is boring, or no interest had negative affect on their adherence.