A review of behavioural change theories in patient compliance to exercise-based rehabilitation following acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Coronary heart disease is a major problem in Scotland. Exercise offered to those following acute myocardial infarction has shown to have been highly beneficial. Despite this, research clearly indicates rehabilitation is not always taken up, with entry numbers to programmes in the order of 60%. Of those who commence exercise programmes, dropout is a major problem. The purpose of this paper is to review the behavioural change and exercise models that potentially inform our understanding of patient compliance to exercise-based rehabilitation following acute myocardial infarction and the factors associated with behavioural change. From the literature reviewed, there is clear need for more exercise research based on behaviour change models, so that health care professionals can work from a theoretical base that reliably informs practice.