Relationship between self-efficacy, beliefs, and physical activity in inflammatory arthritis

Background: The benefits of physical activity (PA) in inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients are well-established. However, levels of PA in the IA population are suboptimal and the psychological determinants of PA are poorly understood. Objective: The study aimed to examine the self-reported PA levels and psychological determinants of PA for the IA population. Methods: A cross-sectional study of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was conducted to explore the association between demographic and psychological variables such as self-efficacy and belief about PA, and levels of PA and energy expenditure (EE). PA was recorded using the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS). Results: A total of 102 participants were included in the study. Participants reported low levels of PA [mean +/- standard deviation (SD), 24.3 +/- 18.2]. Beliefs about PA, but not self-efficacy, correlated with levels of self-report PA over the past week (r=0.25, p=0.01), over the past month (r=0.21, p=0.04), and EE (r=0.31, p=0.01). Conclusion: People with IA have decreased levels of PA. Beliefs about PA are associated with levels of self-report PA and EE in this population. These data provide a useful signpost for guiding and designing interventions to improve PA levels in IA populations by altering beliefs about PA. Copyright (C) 2016, Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association. Published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd.