Effects of video modeling on self-efficacy and exercise performance of COPD patients

We studied the effect of an exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Effects of a complemented video-modeling strategy were studied and compared to the control group which adopted behavioral training strategies in the exercise program only. Eleven patients with COPD received a 1-month (3 times per week) behavioral exercise program with video modeling. Another 11 patients participated in a control group which performed the same exercise without video modeling. The patients’ exercise intensity was monitored by pre-study stress tests to ensure that the participants were all having a comparable level of sub-maximal exercise. They participated in an exercise program which included gradual upgrading of walking on the treadmill, or cycling, and a 5-point rating scale assessed their performance level. Their self- efficacy was assessed by using an exercise self-efficacy scale complemented with open-ended questions to elicit their viewpoints on factors affecting their exercise performance, including the video modeling strategy. From the results, both groups showed statistic-ally significant improvement in exercise performance and self-efficacy. Participants in the video-modeling group showed greater – though not statistically significant – improvement compared to the control group in both exercise performance and self-efficacy. The video modeling group generally held positive view-points on using video modeling as an effective training strategy to improve the outcome of the pulmonary rehabilitation program.