NordicWalking in der stationären psychosomatischen Rehabilitation Adhärenz, Selbstwirksamkeit und Veränderungsbereitschaft als mögliche Prädiktoren für ein langfristig erhöhtes Aktivitätsniveau

Background: Promoting physical activity is an integral part of the multidisciplinary inpatient management of psychosomatic patients. Long-term treatment success can only be achieved by also long-term physical activity adherence. Objective: This study investigated whether long-term adherence related to physical activity can be improved by nordic walking and whether self-efficacy and willingness to change are predictors for long-term physical activity adherence. Method: A retrospective data analysis was conducted as part of a randomized controlled interventional study with psychosomatic inpatients. The control group was treated with a standard programme, the intervention group additionally performed a supervised nordic walking group training three times a week for at least three weeks. Activity levels were assessed at baseline and three months after discharge, self-efficacy and readiness to change were assessed at baseline and at discharge. Results: The study included 138 patients (age: 18 to 65). Three months after discharge the activity level was nor significantly different between the groups neither was it within the groups between measurements at baseline and three months after discharge. Self-efficacy and willingness to change were not predictors for long-term physical activity adherence. Conclusions: Basically, nordic walking is a suitable form of physical activity for psychosomatic patients; within the scope of inpatient treatment it does, however, not lead to an improved long-term physical activity adherence. An outpatient post-rehabilitation for adherence support is recommended.