Examining Compliance, Barriers and Facilitators to Ongoing Aquatic Exercise Post Discharge from Hospital Outpatient Aquatic Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of compliance with a continued aquatic exercise program following discharge from a limited hospital outpatient aquatic service, and to discover patient perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to ongoing aquatic exercise in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey comprising both closed and open-ended questions was conducted. Participants were 25 people who had attended a minimum of six outpatient aquatic physiotherapy sessions. Self-reported compliance with continued aquatic exercise, and descriptions of barriers and facilitators to this were recorded. Responses to open-ended questions were recorded verbatim and thematically analysed by investigators. Results: Eight out of 25 participants were continuing with a community-based aquatic exercise program as instructed (30%, Wald binomial 95% confidence interval 1752%). A range of barriers and facilitators were identified. Major themes for non-compliance included reduced perception of therapeutic outcome from aquatic physiotherapy and external constraints (e.g. transport difficulties and cost associated with access). The central theme for continued compliance was a perceived positive outcome of aquatic physiotherapy combined with ready access to a heated pool. Increasing compliance of ongoing aquatic exercise post discharge from an aquatic therapy program may require greater emphasis on educating patients as to the benefits of ongoing participation.