Factors Influencing Adherence to Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercise Program in Patients with Dizziness

Purpose: This study investigated the level of adherence to vestibular rehabilitation exercise program (VREP) and evaluated how health belief model (HBM) variables are related with adherence to VREP in patients with dizziness. Methods: The data were collected from 150 individuals, who agreed to participate in the study between December, 2012 and May, 2013. Adherence to VREP, severity of dizziness, health belief variables (health belief scale) and self-efficacy (self-efficacy scale) were measured. Results: The result of this study showed poor adherence to VREP. The mean adherence score to VREP was 2.11±1.05 (1-5). In multivariate analysis, severity of dizziness (p<.001), taking sedative medication (p<.001), high self-efficacy (p<.001), high perceived seriousness (p=.019) & benefit (p=.036) were independent predicting factors explaining 57.7% of adherence to VREP. Conclusion: Adherence to VREP was poor among these patients. To improve the patient's adherence to VREP, strategies to increase perceived seriousness, benefit, or self-efficacy and to decrease barriers are urgently needed.