Facilitating adherence to rehabilitation programmes
Improving current rehabilitation delivery and contemporary understanding of exercise motivation to facilitate adherence to rehabilitation programmes.
The benefits of effective rehabilitation programmes can only be realised if patients adhere to them. Poor adherence to rehabilitation significantly impacts treatment outcomes and increases the risk of poor recovery, complications and additional health care costs.
Unfortunately, adherence to physical exercise rehabilitation has been shown to be especially challenging in patients living with many different conditions and impairments.
Addressing this issue is vital, however, adherence is rarely considered in clinical standards. This is despite healthcare professionals' general awareness of the importance of patient motivation and adherence. Clinicians, carers, and patients are, therefore, left to navigate motivation and adherence-related issues based on personal judgements and strategies without compelling evidence.
Research in focus
Implementing motivational strategies
A programme of research led by Dr Ian Taylor, at Loughborough University, is designed to build bridges between current rehabilitation delivery and contemporary understanding of exercise motivation to facilitate adherence to rehabilitation programmes.
A greater understanding of motivation and adherence to rehabilitation will help alleviate the individual, societal and financial costs associated with poor adherence. The research will provide the basis for clinicians and patients to implement motivational strategies aimed at optimising adherence to rehabilitation, as well as stimulating training and education opportunities for rehabilitation staff.
Meet the expert
Dr Ian Taylor is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. He is happy to discuss opportunities to collaborate on research focusing on motivation and adherence in rehabilitation settings and other life contexts.
