Survey by Questionnaires on Motives for Continuation of Therapeutic Exercise among Outpatients with Osteoporosis

Abstract

An interview questionnaire was administered to the outpatients with osteoporosis who had received therapeutic exercise in our hospital in order to clarify their motives for continuing exercises. The questionnaires were mailed to the 50 female subjects who had continued therapeutic exercise for more than 1 year from the discharge, and 35 replies (70%) were obtained. The questionnaires consisted of 1) performance condition of exercise, 2) effect of exercise, and self-consciousness for prevention of osteoporosis, and 3) the reasons for discontinuation of exercise. Fifty-four percent of the subjects were found to continue the exercise, and self-consciousness for prevention of osteoporosis was considerably strong. This suggests that continuation of exercise motivate them to be aware of their health, and to spend positive lives. Motives for continuation of exercises were found to depend on the understanding of the patients for the physical, psychological, and social effect of the exercise at the earlier period of the therapy. The necessity and effect of exercise should therefore be explained repeatedly to the patients, thereby potentially increasing motives for the exercise.