Establishing the NeuroRecovery Network Community Fitness and Wellness facilities: multi-site fitness facilities provide activity-based interventions and assessments for evidence-based functional gains in neurologic disorders

Abstract

Background: Physical fitness is a necessity for those living with a spinal cord injury, yet access to fitness facilities, equipment, and specially trained fitness experts are limited.

Methods: This article introduces the concept of a network of fitness facilities specially geared towards individuals with spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders.

Results: The Community Fitness and Wellness branch of the NeuroRecovery Network was created to provide a continuum of care after traditional rehabilitation for individuals living with a spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders. Community Fitness and Wellness facilities translate activity-based interventions performed during rehabilitation into a community setting as well as provide other fitness and wellness opportunities. Community Fitness and Wellness facilities are staffed by professionals with training on the specialized needs of individuals living with spinal cord injury or other neurological disorders. Standardized assessments evaluate functional, health, and quality of life gains at regular intervals. A national database gathers information on standardized interventions and assessment outcomes providing a mechanism for evaluation of interventions performed in the community setting.

Conclusions: The establishment of Community Fitness and Wellness facilities allows for the quick translation and evaluation of novel, effective approaches from research to individuals in the community.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Fitness needs of individuals with spinal cord injury living in the community necessitate the use of special equipment and trained staff.

• Community Fitness and Wellness Programs offer specially trained staff and adaptive equipment providing a continuity of care for those with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injury
• NeuroRecovery network
• activity-based intervention
• health promotion

Note

Acknowledgements

The authors also acknowledge the NeuroRecovery Network Community Fitness and Wellness Directors: Karey McDowell, Nick Giordano, and Anthony Gallahar (Frazier Rehab Institute); Janne Kouri (Nextstep Fitness); Jon O’Connor and Kelly Henegan (Nextsteps Chicago), Dale Hull and Jan Black (Neuroworx), Jeanne Olson (Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute) and John Walters (Journey Forward) plus all other current and previous Network members (https://www.christopherreeve.org/research/our-rehabilitation-network/community-fitness-and-wellness-facilities). We also acknowledge the leadership, foresight, and support of the NRN Advisory Board, Reggie Egerton, PhD, Moses Chao, PhD, Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, Andrei Krassioukov, MD, PhD, and Shelly Sorani, MA.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 The NeuroRecovery Network collaborated with device manufacturers to pilot higher parameters available through software Restorative Therapies provided to the NeuroRecovery Network prior to FDA approval. These higher parameters were utilized prior to FDA approval with the use of site-specific waivers to explain potential risks to the participants.

Additional information

Funding

Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation10.13039/100001305U10/79

U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services

This program is funded by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation through Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number U10/CCU220379 between CRF and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDCThis project was supported, in part by grant number 90PR3002, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201, USA. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.