A self-directed adherence management program for patients with heart failure completing combined aerobic and resistance exercise training

This study measured the impact of the Exercise Adherence Management Program (EAMP) provided to 20 patients with heart failure (HF) who participated in a combined resistance and aerobic exercise training program during two 12-week phases. The EAMP included strategies designed to support exercise self-efficacy and adherence. Results indicate that an improvement in exercise self-efficacy occurred during the study period, whereas exercise adherence declined during the unsupervised phase. The highest rated adherence strategy for helpfulness and self-efficacy was group sessions. The study supports the use of adherence strategies based on self-efficacy in exercise programs for patients with HF.