Maximizing Treatment Adherence Among Back-Pain Patients: An Experimental Study of the Effects of Physician-Related Cues in Written Medical Messages

Ninety-six outpatients completed a pretest questionnaire, and based on the responses, 68 patients who suffered from back pain and who received a therapeutic exercise prescription were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups. Group 1 received an educational booklet without a physician-related (credibility-enhancing) cue, Group 2 received a similar booklet with a physician-related (credibility-enhancing) cue, and a control group received no booklet. After 3 weeks, all groups were given a posttest to determine the effects on attitudes, beliefs, and reported adherence to physical therapy treatment. The results revealed that confidence in medical advice was significantly greater in the group receiving the booklet with a credibility-enhancing cue, there were no differences between groups regarding attitudes and beliefs, and the group receiving the booklet with the credibility-enhancing cue reported significantly more adherence to exercise (92%) than a control group (50%). Recommendations regarding the use of written information as a tool to increase patient adherence with treatment are described.