PERCEPTION ABOUT BENEFITS AND BARRIERS OF EXERCISE AND ITS REFLECTION IN EXERCISE ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM STROKE

Stroke is the non communicable disease which results in wide range of disability. It is well established that patients with stroke requires long term rehabilitation.  Stroke participants are at higher risk of recurrent stroke. Exercise has proven protective benefits against stroke recurrence as well. Long term rehabilitation always needs adherence to exercise which demands patient’s active involvement. Patient’s adherence to exercise program is likely to be influenced by patient’s perception about it. Perception is believed to be reflected in practice as well.

The purpose of study was to identify the perception of individual about benefits and barriers of exercise and its reflection in exercise adherence in patients suffering from stroke.

Based on eligibility screening 40 participants with stroke (26 male and 14 female) after obtaining written consent were recruited in the study. Perception of individual about exercise benefits and barriers was collected with "Exercise benefit and barrier scale". Exercise adherence was categorized in four categories based on their previous week's prescribed exercise performance by their follow up record. The follow up record was verified at the level of therapist and primary care giver. Four categories of prescribed exercise adherence were: 

1) performed for 6 days, 

2) performed 3 to 5 days, 

3) performed for less than 3 days and 

4) performed on none of the days.

Exercise benefits and barrier total mean score(n = 40) was 138.07(SD = 14.117) while the individual Benefit mean score was 107.4 (SD = 12.54) and barrier mean score was 38.3 (SD = 8.24) which reports that participants had clarity about perceived exercise benefits and barrier. Out of total 40 participants 31(77.5%) had adhered to the exercise for 6 days. Their EBBS benefit score 107.32 (SD = 13.79) and barrier score 38.77 (SD = 8.30). While 7 had adhered for 3 to 5 days and had EBBS benefit score 107.14 (SD = 8.19) and barrier score 37.57 (SD = 8.72). 2 participants adhered for less than 3 days and had EBBS benefit score 109.5 (SD = 4.95) and barrier score 33.5 (SD = 7.78). Participants having higher adherence to exercise have not reported higher score on perception about benefits as compared to others. While those who were more adherent have been found to report less barriers and less adherent have been found to report more barriers.

There is clarity of perceived benefits and barrier of exercise among stroke participants. The adherence to exercise reported in the study is also high. Perception of individual about benefits and barriers of exercise is not uniformly reflected in exercise adherence in patients with stroke. Compared to benefits, barrier is more likely to be reflected in practice. There may be factors other than perception, which may be influencing exercise adherence in stroke population.