Abstract
BackgroundPeople 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.ObjectiveThis 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsParticipants 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%.ConclusionsThe 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.
Highlights
People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience increased risk for obesity, excessive fat mass, abnormal lipid metabolism, and glucose intolerance than the general population [1,2,3,4,5]
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 physical activity (PA) among people with SCI
Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the positive effects of physical activity (PA) among people with SCI on their fitness, muscle strength, body composition, function, psychological well-being, and quality of life, all of which may mitigate the risk of developing chronic disease in the long term [8,9,10,11]
Summary
People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience increased risk for obesity, excessive fat mass, abnormal lipid metabolism, and glucose intolerance than the general population [1,2,3,4,5]. People with SCI face unique barriers to PA and exercise, including lack of reliable and accessible transportation, which limits their ability to use community-based recreation centers [13,14]. 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
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