Acceptability and feasibility of a lifestyle physical activity program for people with spinal cord injury (SCI): A pilot study

Problem. People with SCI are known to have low levels of activity. Exercise and activity for people with SCI offer potential health benefits with minimal associated risks but programs to promote physical activity in people with SCI have been rarely reported.;Purpose. The purposes of this study were to determine if lifestyle physical activity is a feasible and acceptable approach for increasing physical activity in people with SCI and to conduct pilot testing of a lifestyle physical activity program in order to evaluate feasibility and acceptability, suitability and burden of measures and to conduct an exploratory assessment of program effects.;Design. Quasi-experimental pre-post-test with follow-up interview.;Methods. 16 inactive volunteers with SCI completed measures of stage of readiness to change exercise behavior, self-rated health, self-rated abilities for health practices, exercise self-efficacy, barriers to health activities, exercise social support, self-reported function, depression and upper extremity muscle strength. Activity was monitored for four days using an activity monitor and an activity record. Following baseline monitoring, participants received a nurse-delivered educational and motivational program during a home visit and four follow-up phone calls. Repeat of baseline measures was done 6 weeks post-program with interviews 2 weeks later.;Results. Participants rated the program very positively overall though some preferred a more structured exercise approach. Study measures were rated as acceptable and the amount of burden acceptable. The two measures of activity showed significant correlations between measures and a consistent relationship between intensity of activity recorded by both methods. More than half of participants increased their activity, 81% progressed in stage of change and there were significant changes in motivational barriers, exercise self-efficacy, self-rated health, and muscle strength.;Conclusion. Lifestyle physical activity is a feasible and acceptable approach for increasing activity among people with SCI. It may also be an effective approach for enhancing exercise readiness and motivation to begin being active. Findings from this study highlight areas of possible improvement for the intervention program and suggest a clinical trial is warranted.