An explanatory study of attitudes, beliefs and adherence in patients with chronic low back pain and rheumatoid arthritis

This study compared exercise attitudes, beliefs and adherence in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).;Data on 26 patients with CLBP and 26 patients with RA were obtained via self-administered questionnaires. Exercise adherence was measured at 12-weeks and 8-weeks follow up for the two groups respectively.;Twenty-four patients (92%) with CLBP reported a strong intention to perform home exercise whereas 8 patients (31%) with RA had favorable intentions towards performing exercise. There was no difference in exercise attitudes and beliefs between the two groups. There was a moderate relationship between exercise adherence and exercise attitudes (rho = 0.4, p = 0.02), subjective norms (rho = 0.3, p = 0.04), and intention to exercise (rho = 0.4, p = 0.005). Predictors of exercise adherence were exercise attitudes (OR = 1.5, CI = 0.99 ;Exercise attitudes and intentions are predictors of exercise adherence in patients with CLBP and RA. Physical therapists who incorporate a behavioral approach to patient management in may improve exercise adherence.