Testing the feasibility of training peers with a spinal cord injury to learn and implement brief action planning to promote physical activity to people with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE

The present study tested the feasibility of training peers with spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn brief action planning (BAP), an application of motivational interviewing principles, to promote physical activity to mentees with SCI.

METHOD

Thirteen peers with SCI attended a half-day BAP workshop. Using a one-arm, pre-, post-test design, feasibility to learn BAP was assessed in terms of peers' (1) BAP and motivational interviewing spirit competence; (2) training satisfaction; and (3) motivations to use BAP as assessed by measures of the theory of planned behavior constructs. Measures were taken at baseline, immediately post-training, and 1 month follow up.

RESULTS

Following the training, participants' BAP and motivational interviewing competence significantly increased (P's < 0.05, d's > 2.27). Training satisfaction was very positive with all means falling above the scale midpoint. Participants' perceived behavioral control to use BAP increased from baseline to post (P < 0.05, d = 0.91) but was not maintained at follow up (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Training peers with a SCI to learn to use BAP is feasible.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

BAP is a tool that can be feasibly learned by peers to promote physical activity to their mentees.