Most physical therapy and rehabilitation programs have patients do exercises at home as part of the recovery and long-term maintenance. Adherence to home exercise in rehabilitation is a significant problem, with estimates of nonadherence as high as 50%, potentially having a detrimental effect on clinical outcomes.1 It’s important to stay on top of home exercises, as these exercises help speed along the recovery process.2 Below are tips for sticking to the at-home regimen.
Have a goal in mind for the recovery. It doesn’t have to be a huge one like working towards a triathlon, but having a goal is a great motivating factor. For example, to get back to gardening, taking a walk with a grandchild, completing a 5k, or whatever might be valued personally. Patients who have some type of goal in mind are much more likely to adhere to their homework.
Sticking to any kind of exercise routine is difficult. If you find yourself lapsing at home, be open about it with the therapist. Go over what is causing non-adherence.
Plan ahead. Time management is a major reason why people don’t stick with their homework. Looking at the daily routine written down can help find time periods where the exercise can fit in. For example, some simple exercises can be done while watching TV.
The at-home exercises prescribed by therapists may seem unnecessary, but they aren’t. Keeping up with the at-home exercises is a major part of the recovery and rehabilitation process.
Sources:
Bassett SF. Measuring Patient Adherence to Physiotherapy. N Z J Physiother. 31(2):60–66. doi: 10.4172/2165-7025.1000e124.
Holden MA, Haywood KL, Potia TA, Gee M, McLean S. Recommendations for exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review and consensus meeting (protocol) Syst Rev. 2014 Feb 10;3:10. doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-3-10.
Print
PDF
