BACKGROUND: Promoting physical activity is an integral part of the multidisciplinary inpatient management of psychosomatic patients. Long-term treatment success can only be achieved by also long-term physical activity adherence. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether long-term adherence related to physical activity can be improved by nordic walking and whether self-efficacy and willingness to change are predictors for long-term physical activity adherence. METHOD: A retrospective data analysis was conducted as part of a randomized controlled interventional study with psychosomatic inpatients. The control group was treated with a standard programme, the intervention group additionally performed a supervised nordic walking group training three times a week for at least three weeks. Activity levels were assessed at baseline and three months after discharge, self-efficacy and readiness to change were assessed at baseline and at discharge. RESULTS: The study included 138 patients (age 18 to 65). Three months after discharge the activity level was nor significantly different between the groups neither was it within the groups between measurements at baseline and three months after discharge. Self-efficacy and willingness to change were not predictors for long-term physical activity adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Basically, nordic walking is a suitable form of physical activity for psychosomatic patients; within the scope of inpatient treatment it does, however, not lead to an improved long-term physical activity adherence. An outpatient post-rehabilitation for adherence support is recommended.

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