Bandura's exercise self-efficacy scale: Validation in an Australian cardiac rehabilitation setting

Abstract

Background Despite the established benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in improving health outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease, adherence to regular physical activity at recommended levels remains suboptimal. Self-efficacy has been shown to be an important mediator of health behaviour, including exercise. Objectives To assess the psychometric properties of Bandura's exercise self-efficacy (ESE) scale in an Australian CR setting. Design Validation study. Setting Cardiac rehabilitation. Participants One hundred and ten patients (Mean: 60.11, S.D.: 10.57 years). Methods Participants completed a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Bandura's exercise self-efficacy scale at enrolment and on completion of a 6-week CR program. Results Bandura's ESE scale had a single factor structure with high internal consistency (0.95), and demonstrated no floor or ceiling effects. A comparison of ESE scores by distance walked on 6MWT indicated those who recorded more than 500 m at baseline had significantly higher ESE scores (Mean: 116.26, S.D.: 32.02 m) than those patients who only achieved up to 400 m on the 6MWT at baseline (Mean: 89.94, S.D.: 29.47 m) ( p = 0.044). A positive and significant correlation between the change in scores on the ESE scale and the change in the 6MWT distance ( r = 0.28, p = 0.035) was seen. Conclusions The ESE scale was a robust measure of exercise self-efficacy over the range of patients attending this outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Interventions to improve self-efficacy may increase CR patient's efficacy for regular physical activity.