COMPLIANCE WITH TREATMENT FOR POSTPOLIO SEQUELAE - EFFECT OF TYPE-A BEHAVIOR, SELF-CONCEPT, AND LONELINESS

To examine the effect of Type A behavior, self-concept, and loneliness on completion of and compliance with a postpolio sequelae treatment p rogram, all 204 individuals who had been evaluated by the Postpolio Se rvice were mailed the Postpolio Fatigue Questionnaire, the revised UCL A Loneliness Scale, and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. Patients wer e also asked to rate the frequency of assistive device use, their enga ging in self-care activities, and requesting physical assistance from others; they had previously been administered the brief Type A Scale, Of the 46 respondents, 63% had completed the Postpolio Sequelae treatm ent program (completers), and 37% had either been discharged for nonco mpliance or refused treatment (noncompleters). Wheelchair use was sign ificantly positively correlated with age at the time of contracting po lio, number of limbs affected by polio, the Loneliness score, and mont hs since leaving the treatment program, but significantly negatively c orrelated with Social Self and Family Self scores on the Tennessee Sel f-Concept Scale, Family Self score was significantly negatively correl ated with crutch use but significantly positively correlated with aski ng co-workers for assistance. The frequency of taking two 15-minute br eaks each day was significantly negatively correlated with a Type A sc ore. Noncompleters reported a 61% increase in muscle weakness compared with a 1% decrease for completers, These results indicate that Type A behavior must be decreased so polio survivors complete and comply wit h a postpolio sequelae treatment program, be able to make necessary li festyle changes, and possibly feel less lonely. Friends and family mem bers must help polio survivors to accept lifestyle changes and support new assistive device use if patients are to feel valuable within thei r families and society and treat their postpolio sequelae.