Exercise Self-Efficacy and Fatigue as Predictors of Adherence to Home-Based Exercise Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Adherence to home-based exercise programs can be improved by determining the factors associated with exercise adoption and maintenance in patients with multiple sclerosis. However, the factors that influence adherence to home-based exercise have been poorly studied among patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to examine predictors of adherence to home-based exercise programs among patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. A total of forty individuals (mean age = 38.65 ± 8.16 years) diagnosed with multiple sclerosis participated in the study. Outcome measures were self-reported exercise adherence, the Arabic version of exercise self-efficacy, the Arabic version of patient-determined disease steps, and the Arabic version of the fatigue severity scale. All outcome measures were assessed at baseline, except for self-reported adherence to exercise, which was measured after 2 weeks. Results: Our results showed that the adherence to home-based exercise programs was significantly positively correlated with exercise self-efficacy and negatively correlated with fatigue and disability. Exercise self-efficacy (ß = 0.62, p < 0.01) and fatigue (ß = -0.24, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of adherence to home-based exercise programs. Conclusion: These findings suggest that exercise self-efficacy and fatigue should be considered by physical therapists when designing a tailored exercise program for patients with multiple sclerosis. This may facilitate greater adherence to the home-based exercise programs and improve functional outcomes.

Attitudes of Female Health Science Students and Recent Graduates toward the Care of the Dying in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Positive and professional attitude of health professionals toward the palliative care issues of patients is crucial and challenging for fresh graduates. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of health science graduates about providing care for dying patients and their families. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, graduates of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia (n = 113) have participated. The FATCOD -B scale was used to measure the attitude of health science graduates toward the care of patients and their families on a 5-point Likert scale. Data was collected through survey research forms. RESULTS: Significant associations of graduates' attitude toward care of the dying patient with age, department, religious beliefs, education and experience (p = .05) were found. On the scale of caring for the dying patients' families, religious beliefs and education (p = .05) were significant. Furthermore, multiple linear regression confirmed the predictive relationship of religious beliefs, education, and experience (R2 = .342, F = 11.021, p = .000) with graduates' attitudes toward patient care. In comparison, education (R2 = .068, F = 1.541, p = .183) was the predictor of participants' attitudes towards care of the patients' families. CONCLUSION: There is a dire need to focus on palliative care in the formal curriculum for all the health sciences disciplines. It is highly recommended to utilize case scenarios and simulation practice skills during the academic year to prepare students before the internship year. On-job counselling sessions can be helpful to increase the positive attitude of young Health graduates while working with dying patients and their families.