To characterize self-reported global change after receiving education and individualized exercise prescription using the Utah Autonomic Disorders adaptive Physical Therapy (ADaPT) protocol.

Exercise programs are routinely recommended for patients with autonomic disorders. Current literature reports high dropout rates and unclear functional benefit from existing graded exercise programs. Utilization of individualizable exercise protocols, paired with point of care prescription, may improve outcomes and adherence. Patient’s perceived global change following such administration has yet to be examined.

Patients who met with a physical therapist (PT) as part of their autonomic evaluation were prescribed an exercise program using the ADaPT protocol. As part of a prospective clinical outcome assessment, patients completed Global Rating of Change (GroC) reporting regarding their overall condition (worsened, improved, or stayed the same) following initiation of treatment. Possible GroC scores ranged from -7 (worse) to +7 (better), on a 14-point Likert scale. This study is considered exempt by the University IRB, based on its implementation as a program evaluation/quality improvement project.