Dataset Information

Feasibility of an Internet-Based Intervention to Promote Exercise for People With Spinal Cord Injury: Observational Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are less likely to be physically active and have higher chronic disease risk than those in the general population due to physical and metabolic changes that occur postinjury. Few studies have investigated approaches to promote increased physical activity (PA) for people with SCI despite evidence that they face unique barriers, including lack of accessible transportation and exercise equipment. To address these obstacles, we adapted an evidence-based phone-delivered intervention that promoted increased PA among people with SCI into a web-based platform, titled the Workout on Wheels internet intervention (WOWii). The adapted program provides participants with weekly skill-building information and activities, basic exercise equipment, and ongoing support through weekly group videoconferencing.

Objective

This pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using a web-based and virtual format to deliver the WOWii program in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

We assessed the feasibility of the web-based program by delivering an abbreviated, 4-week version to 10 participants with SCI. Rates of weekly videoconference attendance, activity completion, and exercise activity as tracked by an arm-based activity monitor were recorded for all participants.

Results

Participants averaged 3.3 of 4 (83%) weekly group videoconferences attended, 3.4 of 4 (85%) web-based module activities completed, and 2.3 of 4 (58%) weeks of using the arm-based activity monitor. The majority of the sample (9/10, 90%) synced their arm-based PA monitor at least once, and overall engagement as an average of each component across the 4 weeks was 75%.

Conclusions

The intervention had sufficiently high levels of engagement to be used in a full randomized controlled trial to test its effectiveness in improving levels of PA among people with SCI. The knowledge we gained from this pilot study informed improvements that were made in the full randomized controlled trial.

SUBMITTER: Ochoa C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8235292 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundSpinal Cord Injury (SCI) or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) leads to disability, unemployment, loss of income, decreased quality of life and increased mortality. The impact is worse in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) due to a lack of efficient long-term rehabilitative care. This study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a telerehabilitation programme in Nepal.MethodsProspective cohort feasibility study in a community setting following discharge from a specialist rehabilitation centre in Nepal. Patients with SCI or ABI who had previously accessed specialist rehabilitation were connected to a specialist Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) in the centre through a video conference system for comprehensive remote assessments and virtual individualised interventions. Data were captured on recruitment, non-participation rates, retention, acceptability (via end-of-study in-depth interviews with a subset of participants) and outcome measures including the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), completed pre- and post-programme.Results97 participants with SCI (n = 82) or ABI (n = 15) discharged from the centre during an 18-month period were approached and enrolled on the study. The telerehabilitation programme facilitated the delivery of support around multiple aspects of rehabilitation care, such as spasticity treatments and pain management. Outcome measures indicated a significant improvement in functional independence (P < .001), depression, anxiety and stress (P < .001) and quality of life (P < .001). Qualitative interviews (n = 18) revealed participants found the programme acceptable, valuing regular contact and input from MDT professionals and avoiding expensive and lengthy travel.ConclusionThis is the first study in Nepal to identify telerehabilitation as a feasible and acceptable approach to augment the provision of specialist rehabilitation. Future research is needed to assess the suitability of the programme for other conditions requiring specialist rehabilitation and determine the mechanisms underpinning improved outcomes for people with SCI or ABI.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04914650.