HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Maly, M. R. Articles by Olney, S. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Maly, M. R. Articles by Olney, S. J.

Self-Efficacy Mediates Walking Performance in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

¹ School of Physical Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
² School of Kinesiology & Health Studies and ³ School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence to Monica Maly, PhD, Elborn College, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. E-mail: mmaly{at}uwo.ca

Abstract

Background. Self-efficacy is a determinant of walking performance in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. We examined whether self-efficacy mediated the effect of age, psychosocial, impairment, and mechanical factors on walking performance.

Methods. Fifty-four participants with knee osteoarthritis completed the Six Minute Walk test and Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale. Independent variables reflected age, psychosocial (depressive symptoms), impairment (pain, stiffness), and mechanical (strength, obesity) factors.

Results. Self-efficacy fully mediated the effect of age and impairments on walking. The effects of strength were only partially mediated by self-efficacy. Depressive symptoms and obesity were not mediated by self-efficacy.

Conclusions. These findings are consistent with Social Cognitive Theory, according to which age may alter outcome expectations, and impairments like pain and stiffness provide negative physiological feedback to influence performance. Mechanical factors like strength and obesity may better represent a person's capabilities and interact with other variables to influence physical performance in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.