Stage-specific prediction of physical activity in orthopaedic patients after rehabilitation treatment

Stage transitions were studied in order to clarify the social-cognitive processes in the initiation and maintenance of physical activity in 510 orthopaedic rehabilitation patients. Stages and social-cognitive variables were assessed at the beginning of rehabilitation and stages were measured again four weeks later Multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate several theory-driven hypotheses. Results show that non-intenders are more likely to progress to the intentional stage if they perceive high pros (OR=4.62, p<.05). They are more likely progress to the actor stage and initiate physical activity if they perceive higher risk of negative effects of relapse, such as the likelihood of suffering from chronic pain (OR=2.12, p<.10) and if they report more goals (OR=2.49, p<.05). Intenders become physically active if they perceive more social support (OR=3.67, p<.05) and report higher self-efficacy (OR=2.23, p<.05). Patients, who are already physically active, are more likely to regress to the intentional stage if they report higher cons/barriers (OR=2.32, p<.05) and lower self-efficacy (OR=0.27, p<.01). It is concluded that stage-specific determinants of stage transition have been found. To increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation, treatments should be tailored to patients' stage-specific needs.