Table 2

Effects of adherence intervention on adherence outcomes reported across included studies

Results (mean±SD)
StudyAdherence measurement methodMeasurement time pointsParticipant retention (% of original cohort)Control groupAdherence intervention groupSignificance (p value)Effect size (d)
Chronic low back pain studies
Basler et al,33 2007Self-reported in logbook—time/day spent training (minutes).6 weeks
6 months
86%
86%
24.7±16.3
25.3±19.7
29.2±14.6
29.6±24.2
NR
NR
0.29
0.19
Freidrich et al,34 1998Therapist-reported exercise session attendance (n, out of maximum of 10).4 months90%8.6±2.19.6±1.1p=0.00050.60
Self-reported in logbook—number of days/week trained (n).

Self-reported in logbook—time/day spent training (minutes).

Self-reported in logbook—total training time (minutes).
4 months
12 months
4 months
12 months
4 months
12 months
90%
74%
90%
74%
90%
74%
2.9±1.1
3.1±2.2
16.1±10.2
16.4±13.0
748±668
1516±1397
3.6±5.0
4.0±1.9
17.9±8.7
15.5±8.6
917±656
2024±2026
NR
p=0.036
NR
NR
NR
NR
0.19
0.44
0.19
−0.08
0.26
0.29
Vong et al,41 2011Self-reported in logbook—sessions of home practice completed per week (n).4 weeks
8 weeks
12 weeks
83%
79%
74%
6.8±3.7
6.2±3.6
5.8±4.1
12.8±8.1
13.9±8.1
9±7.2
p=0.002
NR
NR
0.95
1.23
1.21
Hip and/or knee osteoarthritis studies
Bennell et al,37 2014Self-reported in logbook—number of exercises completed per day. Values reported as % of prescribed exercises performed over 2×1 week periods (where 100% indicates all prescribed exercises performed as directed).24 weeks95%51±3756±34p>0.050.14
Self-reported overall adherence to the prescribed exercise programme. Values reported as average of ratings given for the previous 8-week period at weeks 8, 16 and 24. (11-point NRS: 0= not at all, 10= completely as instructed).24 weeks95%5.5±3.56.1±3.2p>0.050.18
Brosseau et al,40 2012Therapist-reported exercise sessions attended (n, out of maximum of 3/week).3 months
6 months
9 months
12 months
83%
75%
67%
60%
0.770±0.299
0.617±0.410
0.471±0.418
0.446±0.441
0.802±0.290
0.636±0.390
0.534±0.425
0.445±0.433
p=0.514
p=0.774
p=0.363
p=0.989
0.11
0.05
0.15
−<0.00
O'Brien et al,39 2013Therapist-reported class attendance (n, out of maximum of 31).12 weeks56%16±1017±11p=0.810.10
Class participation scored by therapist on the Sports Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (3 items scored on a 5-point NRS: exercise intensity, ability to follow instructions and receptiveness to changes to programme. Total score out of 15).12 weeks56%4.6±0.94.5±0.4p=0.52−0.14
Self-reported adherence to home stretching programme. Participants asked whether they performed exercises as prescribed (5-point NRS: 1= not at all, 5= as advised).
Self-reported adherence to home walking programme. Participants asked whether they performed the programme as prescribed (5-point NRS: 1= not at all, 5= as advised).
12 weeks
12 weeks
56%
56%
3.9±0.2
3.5±1.0
3.7±1.3
3.6±1.3
p=0.21
p=0.93
−0.22
0.09
Pisters et al,35 2010Self-reported overall adherence. Participants were asked how frequently they performed the exercises as prescribed (5-point NRS: 1= almost never, 5= very often).
Values reported as % that scored 4 or 5/5).
Self-reported overall adherence. Participants were asked how frequently they performed the exercises as prescribed (5-point NRS: 1= almost never, 5= very often).



13 weeks
65 weeks
13 weeks
65 weeks



96%
90%
96%
90%



59%
34%
3.47±0.95*
3.14±0.99*



75%
44%
4.23±0.94*
3.71±1.15*



OR 4.3
(95% CI 2.1 to 9.0)
OR 3.0
(95% CI 1.5 to 6.0)
NR
NR



0.80
0.53
Schoo et al,38 2005Self-reported in logbook. Participants asked if all, some or none of prescribed exercises were performed each day. Values reported as median % that reported completing all exercises.4 weeks
8 weeks
NR
78%
93.0%
89.5%
Audio: 89.0%
Video: 92.0%
Audio: 87.0%
Video: 81.5%
p=0.690
p=0.538

Tuzun et al,36 2012Self-reported in logbook—number of exercise sessions completed each day.
Values reported as % of participants compliant with all exercise sessions as prescribed; median (IQR).
4 weeks
12 weeks
NR
NR
72.5 (55–97.5)
55 (25–85)
100 (100–100)
100 (90–100)
p=0.125
p=0.036

  • *Additional data (means, SDs) obtained directly from author.

  • †Unable to calculate from data provided.

  • NR, not reported; NRS, Numeric Rating Scale.