Influence of self-efficacy and perceived barriers on physical activity among patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: Self-efficacy and perceived barriers can be regarded as positive and negative drivers of physical activity, the relationships among self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and physical activity is complex in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is a lack of research exploring these relationships. Methods: A total of 207 patients with CKD were enrolled at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. Data were collected from December 2013 to March 2014. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A validated questionnaire was used collecting the data about self-efficacy and perceived barriers to physical activity. Multivariate models were performed to assess the individual and interrelated of self-efficacy and perceived barriers on physical activity. Results: Self-efficacy and perceived barriers were independently associated with physical activity in CKD patients. Compared with the those with lower self-efficacy and higher perceived barriers, patients with higher self-efficacy and lower perceived barriers had the highest odds to achieve recommended physical activity level (odds ratio [OR]: 8.68; 95% CI, 3.01-24.9), followed by patients with lower self-efficacy and lower perceived barriers and the patients with higher self-efficacy and higher perceived barriers. Conclusion: Self-efficacy and perceived barriers were individually and jointly correlated to physical activity in patients with CKD. Patients with higher self-efficacy and lower perceived barriers were more likely to achieve sufficient physical activity.