Developing physical activity interventions for adults with spinal cord injury. Part 3: a pilot feasibility study of an intervention to increase self-managed physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the efficacy and feasibility of a group-mediated cognitive-behavioral training (GMCB) intervention for increasing self-managed leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who are already somewhat active.

METHODS

Participants were 13 members of a supervised exercise program for adults with SCI. They took part in a 9-week, evidence-based, theoretically framed, GMCB intervention designed to promote self-regulatory skills and to increase the amount of time spent in self-managed LTPA, outside of the supervised program. Minutes/week of self-managed and supervised LTPA were measured pre- and postintervention, along with measures of social-cognitive variables. Participants' and the interventionist's perceptions of the intervention were also assessed.

RESULTS

Participants nearly doubled their total min/week of LTPA, as the result of a significant increase in self-managed LTPA from baseline (M = 42.00 ± 69.57 min/week) to postintervention (M = 197.50 ± 270.86 min/week; p < .05), at no cost to supervised LTPA. Consistent with the GMCB and counseling of self-regulatory skills, self-regulatory efficacy was sustained and action planning increased from pre- (M = 4.63 ± 3.25) to postintervention (M = 6.83 ± 2.40; p = .06). The intervention materials and protocol were perceived as usable by the interventionist and participants and had good intervention fidelity.

CONCLUSIONS

Persons with SCI can voluntarily increase their self-managed LTPA after learning and practicing self-regulatory skills. GMCB training interventions are a feasible approach for teaching these skills.