Exercise self-efficacy, habitual physical activity, and fear of falling in patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between self-efficacy for physical activity and other pertinent factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). A secondary purpose of this study was to determine if self-efficacy and exercise behavior are different in patients who report a fearing of falling (fallers) as compared to patients who do not report a fear of falling (non-fallers). This study included 50 patients who were admitted to the hospital for a CHD related diagnosis. Patients completed assessments of cardiac self-efficacy (Modified Barnason Efficacy Expectation Scale) and exercise behavior self-efficacy (Self Efficacy for Exercise Behavior Scale). In addition, the Physical Function subscale of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Function were used to characterize physical and cognitive function, respectively. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, correlations, t-tests, and chi-square. Older patients reported higher levels of cardiac self-efficacy. Further, a positive correlation was found between cardiac self-efficacy and pre-hospitalization level of physical function. Patient income level and Self-efficacy for Exercise Behavior Resisting Relapse subscale scores were significantly correlated. A higher percent of fallers failed to meet minimum exercise guidelines as compared to non-fallers. It is important to identify the factors that are associated with exercise self-efficacy to improve health behavior adoption and adherence in patients with CHD.

Keywords: cardiac rehabilitation; coronary heart disease; exercise; self-efficacy.