Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to AFO use in Stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to Investigate Adherence to Ankle-foot Orthoses (AFOs) in Patients with Stroke
IRAS ID
146140
Contact name
Christine McMonagle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Research summary
The purpose of this investigation is to identify beliefs affecting use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in people with stroke; to examine the usefulness of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)(1) in predicting adherence to AFO use; and identify if patient beliefs are more likely to change in the first 2 months after delivery of the AFO.
An Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a device applied externally to the ankle and foot, commonly used to improve function or mobility following a stroke. There is little information about use of AFOs after they have been prescribed and many people with stroke do not use them. As well as inefficient use of resources by the NHS, this may mean less than optimal results from stroke rehabilitation for the individual patient.
Adherence to use of AFOs can be considered a type of health behaviour. An understanding of the underlying cognitions (i.e. beliefs) affecting use of AFOs in stroke may allow opportunities to develop interventions which increase adherence to AFOs.
The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a social cognitive theory of behaviour which has been applied across a range of health behaviours including adherence to diet and medication, and rehabilitation programmes. The TPB therefore offers a potentially useful framework for identifying cognitive variables that predict use of AFOs.
There are 2 parts to this study:
1)Interviews will be carried out to elicit potentially modifiable beliefs of patients with stroke about use of AFOs with 13 participants.
2)These beliefs will used in a prospective questionnaire design with 160 participants to test the applicability of the TPB model to AFO use in people with stroke. The prospective design will allow changes in beliefs to be identified.Reference
(1) Ajzen I. The Theory of Planned Behaviour. Organisational Behaviour and Decision processes 1991;50:179-211.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1002
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion