Effects of video modeling on self-efficacy and exercise performance of COPD patients

The purpose of this study was to study the effect of an exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Effects of a complemented video-modeling strategy were studied and compared to the control group which adopted behavioral training strategies in the exercise program only. Eleven patients with COPD received a one-month (three times per week) behavioral exercise program with video modeling. Another eleven patients participated in a control group which performed the same exercise without video modeling. The patients' exercise intensity was monitored by pre-study stress tests to ensure that the participants were all having a comparable level of sub-maximal exercise. They participated in an exercise program which included gradual upgrading of walking on the treadmill, or cycling, and a five-point rating scale assessed their performance level. Their self-efficacy was assessed by using an exercise self-efficacy scale complemented with open-ended questions to elicit their viewpoints on factors affecting their exercise performance, including the video modeling strategy. From the results, both groups showed statistically significant improvement in exercise performance and self-efficacy. Participants in the video-modeling group showed greater - though not statistically significant - improvement compared to the control group in both exercise performance and self-efficacy. The video modeling group generally held positive viewpoints on using video modeling as an effective training strategy to improve the outcome of the pulmonary rehabilitation program.