Evaluation of a Simple Intervention to Increase Self- Efficacy for Independent Exercise in Cardiac Rehabilitation Participants

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> While benefits of exercise after a cardiac event are well documented, participation in and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs is often low. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a self- efficacy coaching intervention (SCI): a simple theory-based behavioral intervention to increase self-efficacy for independent exercise as well as independent exercise behavior in CR patients. It was hypothesized that persons receiving the SCI treatment (T) would have higher levels of self-efficacy for exercise and greater participation in independent exercise than participants in an attention control (C) group. <strong><br />Methods:</strong> People referred to a hospitalbased CR program by their physician were invited to participate in the study (N = 65). Participants were assigned to either T or C groups which had been randomly designated by class time. The SCI was administered approximately every two weeks by CR staff as a supplement to standard CR care. Patients in the T group received coaching about independent exercise, patients in the C group received coaching matched for time and technique but covering information about healthy eating. Self-efficacy for independent exercise was assessed at the beginning and end of the supervised CR program with an Exercise Self-Efficacy (ESE) scale and a Barriers Self-Efficacy (BARSE) scale. Participation in independent exercise was determined by self- report with activity logs. Outcome differences between T and C groups were analyzed through one-way ANOVA. Results: Mean change scores for the T group were larger than those seen in the C group, but differences between groups were not statistically significant (p > .10). Significant difference between change scores for ESE, BARSE and independent exercise were noted when interaction effects between SCI treatment and previous exercise were considered.<strong> <br />Conclusions:</strong> This study adds to the limited body of knowledge about theory-based interventions in cardiac rehabilitation programs and takes an important step in translating self-efficacy theory into a simple, practical application that will promote maintenance of lifestyle changes in this population.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Health and Nutritional Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2008

Author dc:creator

• Barkley, Sherry A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Matthew Vukovich

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Exercise Science
• Rehabilitation and Therapy

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/</a></p>

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1378

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-2385