Factors affecting parental adherence to an intervention program for congenital torticollis.

PURPOSE

Identify factors related to parental adherence to an intervention program for congenital torticollis.

METHODS

Sixty-five mothers of infants referred to physical therapy served as subjects. Attitudes toward health care styles, satisfaction with and trust in the therapist, expectations and belief in treatment credibility, and maternal perceptions of the severity of the torticollis and the potential effect of treatment on the infant's future function were measured with questionnaires. Adherence was measured by attendance, exercise compliance, and reason for treatment termination.

RESULTS

Adherence correlated with maternal perceptions of the severity of the functional effect of the torticollis and the importance of the intervention program on future function (P = .005). The independent variables assessed by the questionnaires were not significantly correlated to adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal perceptions of the effect of torticollis on her infant's activities and the program's importance for the infant's future function were the only predictors of adherence.