Title: Effect of WhatsApp-based reminders on adherence to home exercise program

Authors: Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada; Mustapha Alabi Lateef; Adekola Babatunde Ademoyegun; Adewale Isaiah Oyewole; Laminde Maikudi; Clara Fatoye; Francis Fatoye

Addresses: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Department of Physiotherapy, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria ' Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK ' Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of WhatsApp-based reminders on home exercise program (HEP) adherence. Forty consenting patients [experimental group (EG) (n = 20); control group (CG) (n = 20) ] participated in this study. EG received WhatsApp-based reminder messages on HEP thrice weekly for six weeks while CG received no reminders other than therapists' instructions to carry out HEP. Participants recorded their HEP activities on a provided diary, which was monitored weekly. The number of days of adherence was assessed at weeks 3 and 6. There was significant difference in adherence to HEP in EG (6.85 ± 0.37 vs. 19.95 ± 0.89 vs. 20.43 ± 0.69; p = 0.001) and CG (4.50 ± 0.61 vs. 13.50 ± 1.24 vs. 13.95 ± 1.61; p = 0.001) at baseline, 3rd and 6th week, and between EG and CG at weeks 3 and 6 (t = 12.669; p = 0.001). WhatsApp-based reminders significantly improved adherence to HEP among patients receiving physiotherapy.

Keywords: adherence; home exercise program; HEP; mobile applications; physiotherapy; tele-rehabilitation; WhatsApp.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMCP.2022.123139

International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices, 2022 Vol.3 No.4, pp.341 - 350

Received: 03 Jul 2020
Accepted: 04 Nov 2021
Published online: 31 May 2022 *