Determinant factors of Exercise behaviors in Patients with Arthritis

관절염 환자의 운동행위 결정요인

The aims of this study were to understand and to predict the determinant factors affecting the exercise behaviors and physical fitness by testing the Ponder's health promotion model, and to help the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis perform the continuous exercise program, and to help them maximize the physical effect such as muscle strength. endurance, and fuctional status and mental effects including self efficacy and quality of life, and improve the physical and mental wellbeing, and to provide a basis for the nursing intervention strategies. We analyzed the clinical records of 208 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis who visited the outpatient clinics at H university hospital in Seoul between October 5, 1999 and October 24, 1999. Data were composed of self reported questionnaire and good of fitness score which were obtained by pedalling the ergometer of bicycle for 9 minutes. SPSS Win 8.0 and Window LISREL 8.12a were used for statistical analysis. 24 Of 54 hypothetical paths were supported in modified model, which was considered as a proper model with improved fit index. The physical fitness was directly influenced by exercise participation behavior and education level, and indirectly by physical fitness, while fatigue, physical disability, pastexercise behavior, life-style, self-efficacy, which explained 20% of physical fitness. The exercise participation were directly influenced by perceived benefits and self-efficacy, and indirectly influenced by life-style, fatigue and physical disability, and directly and indirectly by past exercise behavior, which explained 53% of exercise participation. Exercise score were directly affected by perceived health status, perceived benefits, self efficacy, and past exercise behavior, and were indirectly affected by fatigue, physical disability, and life-style, which explained 50%. Perceived health status were directly influeced by level of education, depression, sleep disorder, and physical disability, which explained 34% of perceived health status. Perceived benefit was directly influenced by fatigue, sleep disorder, physical disability, and life-style, which explained 45%. Perceived barriers was directly influenced by fatigue, sleep disorder, and lifestyle, which explained 9%. Self- efficacy was directly influenced by fatigue, physical disability, past exercise behavior, and level of education, which explained 61%. In conclusion, important variables for physical fitness were exercise participation and level of education, and variables affecting exercise participation were perceived self-efficacy, benefits, and past exercise behavior. Perceived self-efficacy of exercise was a significant predictor of exercise participation. Life-style, fatigue, and physical disability showed direct effects on perceived benefit, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy, and indirect effects on exercise behavior. Therefore, disease related factor should be minimized for physical performance and well being in nursing intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and plans to promote and continue exercise should be soaked to reduce disability. In addition, Exercise program should be planned and performed by the exact evaluation of exercise according to the ability of the patients and the contents to improve the importance of exercise and self efficacy in self control program, dedicated educational program should be involved.