Emma J Foster1, Sarah-Anne Munoz2, Daniel Crabtree2, Stephen J Leslie2,3, Trish Gorely4. 1. University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK, AB25 2ZD Aberdeen, United Kingdom. 2. University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road, IV2 3JH Inverness, United Kingdom. 3. Cardiac Unit, Raigmore Hospital, Cardiac Unit, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, IV2 3UJ Inverness, United Kingdom. 4. University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road, IV2 3JH Inverness, United Kingdom. trish.gorely@uhi.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiac disease requires ongoing active management which may include attendance at formal cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and increased physical activity (PA). However, uptake rates are sub-optimal. This study aimed to identify factors associated with attendance at CR and PA in a rural Scottish population. METHODS: A cross-sectional postal survey assessing factors potentially associated with attending CR and participating in PA. Data were also collected from hospital electronic medical records. Binary logistic and ordinal regressions were used to identify barriers and facilitators to participation. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 840 participants referred to the CR department of a regional Scottish hospital. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 567 patients were sent a questionnaire. The number of returned questionnaires was 295 (52.0%). Responders were predominantly male (75.9%), with a mean age of 68.7 years. At the multivariate level, the only factor associated with CR attendance was a lack of perceived need (odds ratio [OR] 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.06). Analyses of PA associations identified self-efficacy as the only significant facilitator (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.59), and a lack of willpower as the only barrier (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.97). Other factors were linked to CR attendance and PA at a univariate level only. CONCLUSIONS: This study characterised CR and PA participation, and explored demographic, medical, and psychological factors associated with both activities - with the most important being perceived need, self-efficacy and willpower. These findings may be beneficial in clinical practice by targeting these factors to increase CR attendance and PA levels.
BACKGROUND:Cardiac disease requires ongoing active management which may include attendance at formal cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and increased physical activity (PA). However, uptake rates are sub-optimal. This study aimed to identify factors associated with attendance at CR and PA in a rural Scottish population. METHODS: A cross-sectional postal survey assessing factors potentially associated with attending CR and participating in PA. Data were also collected from hospital electronic medical records. Binary logistic and ordinal regressions were used to identify barriers and facilitators to participation. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 840 participants referred to the CR department of a regional Scottish hospital. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 567 patients were sent a questionnaire. The number of returned questionnaires was 295 (52.0%). Responders were predominantly male (75.9%), with a mean age of 68.7 years. At the multivariate level, the only factor associated with CR attendance was a lack of perceived need (odds ratio [OR] 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.06). Analyses of PA associations identified self-efficacy as the only significant facilitator (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.59), and a lack of willpower as the only barrier (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.97). Other factors were linked to CR attendance and PA at a univariate level only. CONCLUSIONS: This study characterised CR and PA participation, and explored demographic, medical, and psychological factors associated with both activities - with the most important being perceived need, self-efficacy and willpower. These findings may be beneficial in clinical practice by targeting these factors to increase CR attendance and PA levels.