Original article
Patient compliance with exercise: Different theoretical approaches to short-term and long-term compliance

https://doi.org/10.1016/0738-3991(91)90060-IGet rights and content

Abstract

Compliance with exercise regimens is difficult to obtain as is compliance with other medical regimens. In analyzing noncompliance, two problems exist: (1) current theories only partly explain patients' noncompliance; (2) health care providers seldom act according to the recommendations derived from research findings. These problems may be due in part to great differences in types of compliance behavior. A significant difference exists between short-term supervised compliance and long-term nonsupervised compliance. Therefore different theoretical and practical approaches may be needed depending on the specific compliance behavior in question. Analysis of compliance with exercise regimens indicates that interventions based on behavioral theory are adequate for short-term compliance, whereas a self-regulation approach can be useful in long-term compliance. As a logical consequence, the health care provider should be able to act differently, according to the type of compliance needed. The practical implications for exercise regimens in physical therapy practice are discussed in detail.

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  • Cited by (0)

    This paper was adapted from a requirement for a PhD-thesis on Patient Education in Physical Therapy funded by the Praeventiefonds. This research program is still in progress

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