Abstract
Purpose: Poor adherence to Ankle-foot Orthoses (AFOs) is an inefficient use of scarce resource, and may lead to poorer health outcomes. Use of a theoretical model of behaviour to understand adherence to AFOs is important because interventions based on theory are more likely to be successful in changing behaviour. This investigation aimed to examine the utility of a psychological model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991), to predict intention and adherence to AFO use in people with stroke.
Method: Forty-nine participants who had been prescribed an AFO following stroke in NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland, completed a postal questionnaire, which measured key constructs from the TPB, with behaviour measured prospectively. Regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of intention to use an AFO as recommended and actual use of the AFO.
Outcomes: Adherence to use of AFOs as recommended was 63%. The TPB accounted for 57% variance in intentions and 42% variance in use of AFOs as recommended. A number of beliefs associated with intention and AFO use were also identified which might be targeted in a future intervention to increase adherence to AFOs.
Conclusion: The significant amount of variance found suggests the TPB is a useful model for understanding adherence to AFOs. This study provides a preliminary strategy for the development of an intervention designed to increase adherence to use of AFOs in people with stroke.
References:
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.
Acknowledgements:
Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, NRS Stroke Research Network and Orthotics Education and Training Trust (OETT) supported this work.
Method: Forty-nine participants who had been prescribed an AFO following stroke in NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland, completed a postal questionnaire, which measured key constructs from the TPB, with behaviour measured prospectively. Regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of intention to use an AFO as recommended and actual use of the AFO.
Outcomes: Adherence to use of AFOs as recommended was 63%. The TPB accounted for 57% variance in intentions and 42% variance in use of AFOs as recommended. A number of beliefs associated with intention and AFO use were also identified which might be targeted in a future intervention to increase adherence to AFOs.
Conclusion: The significant amount of variance found suggests the TPB is a useful model for understanding adherence to AFOs. This study provides a preliminary strategy for the development of an intervention designed to increase adherence to use of AFOs in people with stroke.
References:
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.
Acknowledgements:
Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, NRS Stroke Research Network and Orthotics Education and Training Trust (OETT) supported this work.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 14 Oct 2021 |
| Event | Australian Orthotics and Prosthetics Association National Congress 2021 (Online) - Online Duration: 14 Oct 2021 → 14 Oct 2021 Conference number: 11 |
Conference
| Conference | Australian Orthotics and Prosthetics Association National Congress 2021 (Online) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | AOPA National Congress |
| Period | 14/10/21 → 14/10/21 |
Keywords
- ankle-foot orthoses
- stroke
- adherence
