HOME BASED EXERCISE PROGRAMS

Background: Home-based exercise programs (HBEPs) play a crucial role in physiotherapy rehabilitation by promoting recovery beyond clinical settings. Despite their proven benefits, patient adherence remains inconsistent. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and adherence to prescribed home- based exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 184 physiotherapy outpatients selected through purposive sampling, across the following units (Orthopeadics, Neurosurgery, Neuromedicine, Geriatrics and Cardiopulmonary). Data were obtained using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) and a structured Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized respondents’ characteristics, while inferential tests (Pearson’s correlation, t-test, ANOVA) assessed relationships and differences between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 60.8 ± 21.3 years, with 95 (51.6%) females and 89 (48.4%) males. Most respondents were married (65.8%) and self-employed (46.7%). The most common conditions managed were neurological (44.6%) and musculoskeletal disorders (43.5%). The predominant home exercise prescribed was strengthening exercises (75.0%), followed by stretching (58.7%) and balance training (28.3%). Nearly all participants (97.3%) received one- on-one exercise instruction from physiotherapists. Findings showed moderate levels of knowledge, attitude, and adherence to HBEPs. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and adherence (p < 0.05), and between attitude and adherence (p < 0.05). However, age showed a significant negative correlation with adherence (r = –0.189, p = 0.01), while gender, marital status, occupation, and health condition had no significant relationship (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adherence to home exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at UBTH was moderate and significantly influenced by patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and age. Enhancing patient education, improving motivation, and developing age-tailored intervention strategies may strengthen adherence and rehabilitation outcomes.