Feasibility of a virtual service delivery model to support physical activity engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic for those with spinal cord injury

Figures & data

Table 1 Participant demographics.

Age (years)	Highest level of education	Location	Time since injury (years)	Severity of injury	Level of injury	Spine level of injury
70	Some university	Town or village	13	Incomplete	Paraplegia	Thoracic
62	College certificate or diploma	Large city	18	Incomplete	Tetraplegia	Cervical
56	University undergraduate degree	Large city	32	Complete	Paraplegia	Thoracic
38	High school diploma	Large city	18	Incomplete	Paraplegia	Thoracic

Table 2 General participant satisfaction.

Variable	N=4
How satisfied were you with the online exercise classes?	4 highly satisfied.
I would like to continue participating in the online exercise classes.	4 strongly agree.
I would recommend this program to others.	4 strongly agree.
I found I was more likely to attend the classes due to the convenience of them being online.	4 strongly agree.

Table 3 Participant satisfaction with access to exercise program.

Variable	N = 4
In general, how satisfied were you with your access to the online exercise program?	3 highly satisfied. 1 moderately satisfied.
Before the online exercise program, I had access to fitness programming that met my physical activity needs.	1 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree. 2 moderately disagree.
The online exercise program provided me access to fitness programming I would not otherwise have.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.
Before participating in the online exercise program, I engaged in physical activity on a regular basis (i.e. 30 min or more at least 3 days per week).	1 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree. 2 strongly disagree.
I found that the online exercise program twice a week was adequate.	1 strongly agree. 2 moderately agree. 1 moderately disagree.
I found that 45 min was an appropriate amount of time for a physical activity session.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.

Table 4 Participant satisfaction with instruction.

Variable	N=4
In general, how satisfied were you with the online exercise class instruction?	4 highly satisfied.
My instructor was knowledgeable in their content area.	4 strongly agree.
My instructor was an effective leader in a physical activity class.	4 strongly agree.
My instructor maintained good control of the exercise class.	4 strongly agree.
Having a live instructor aided in my ability to do moves correctly and safely.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.
The instructor explained why the individual exercises were beneficial.	2 strongly agree. 2 moderately agree.
I found the instruction easy to follow.	4 strongly agree.
I found it helpful to follow a specific instructor based on my physical capabilities.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.
The instructors cueing skills (the ability to explain moves ahead of time) were helpful in keeping up with the class.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.

Table 5 Participant satisfaction with content.

Variable	N=4
In general, how satisfied were you with the overall content of the online exercise class?	4 highly satisfied.
I found the content of the online exercise class interesting.	4 strongly agree.
I found the content of the online exercise class applicable to my physical activity needs.	4 strongly agree.
I found I was able to keep up without overexerting myself.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.
I felt the structure of the class made it more enjoyable (i.e. warm up, aerobics, cool-down).	4 strongly agree.

Table 6 Participant satisfaction with videoconferencing.

Variable	N=4
In general, how satisfied were you with using videoconferencing for the online exercise class?	3 highly satisfied. 1 moderately dissatisfied.
I found the videoconferencing technology easy to use.	2 strongly agree. 2 moderately agree.
I was satisfied with the function of the technology.	2 moderately agree. 2 moderately disagree.
The screens provided by the videoconferencing software seemed well-suited to the exercise class.	1 strongly agree. 3 moderately agree.
I found videoconferencing with the instructor helpful in performing the physical activity exercises.	2 strongly agree. 2 moderately agree.
I believe videoconferencing assisted the instructor in properly managing the seated exercise class.	1 strongly agree. 3 moderately agree.

Table 7 Participant perceived benefits.

Variable	N=4
In general, how satisfied were you with the effect of the online exercise program on your health and general well-being?	4 highly satisfied.
I believe that the online exercise class had a positive effect on my physical health.	4 strongly agree.
I believe that the online exercise class had a positive effect on my psychological health.	4 strongly agree.
I found that the online exercise class resulted in fewer health complications (e.g. pain, pressure sores, fatigue, infections, etc.).	2 strongly agree. 2 moderately agree.
I will continue to engage in the physical activity exercises I learned in during the online exercise class.	2 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree. 1 moderately disagree.
I now have a better understanding of the kinds of exercises suited for my capabilities.	2 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree. 1 moderately disagree.
If possible, I would continue to use the study technologies in my home.	3 strongly agree. 1 moderately agree.

Table 8 Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire.

Variable	Mean	SD
I like the amount of physical activity I get in this program.	8.25	.96
This physical activity group is an important social unit for me.	8.00	1.16
I enjoy social interactions within this physical activity group.	8.00	1.16
This physical activity group provides me with a good opportunity to improve in areas of fitness I consider important.	8.50	1.00
I like meeting the people who come to this physical activity group.	8.25	.96
I am happy with the intensity of the physical activity in this program.	7.75	.96
I like the program of physical activities done in this group.	8.50	.58
If this program were to end, I would miss my contact with the other participants.	8.00	.82
I enjoy new exercises done in this physical activity group.	8.50	.58
In terms of the social experiences in my life, this physical activity group is very important.	8.50	1.00
This physical activity group provides me with good opportunities to improve my personal fitness.	8.75	.50
The social interactions I have in this physical activity group are important to me.	8.00	1.41
Members of our physical activity group often socialize during exercise time.	8.75	.50
Our group is united in its beliefs about the benefits of the physical activities offered in this program.	6.75	2.06
Members of our physical activity group would likely spend time together if the program were to end.	6.67	4.04
Our group is in agreement about the program of physical activities that should be offered.	6.75	2.06
Members of our group are satisfied with the intensity of physical activity in this program.	8.25	.96
Members of our group sometimes socialize together outside of activity time.	6.25	3.77
We spend time socializing with each other before or after our activity sessions.	8.25	.96
Members of our group enjoy helping if work needs to be done to prepare for activity sessions.	7.75	2.06
We encourage each other in order to get the most out of the program.	8.00	1.16

Table 9 Secondary outcomes – means of Neuro-QOL outcomes of interest and Cohen’d for baseline to post-intervention and baseline to follow-up.

	Mean (standard deviation)			Cohen’s d
	Baseline	Post-intervention	3-month follow up	Baseline to Post-intervention	Baseline to 3-month follow up
Depression	45.20 (2.00)	46.66 (2.68)	43.50 (6.86)	0.67	0.29
Anxiety	50.50 (5.86)	39.03 (4.56)	39.83 (5.95)	2.39	2.02
Fatigue	40.37 (5.07)	41.03 (4.56)	41.97 (6.35)	0.15	0.31
Satisfaction with social roles and activities	46.43 (3.22)	45.20 (3.12)	45.00 (2.91)	0.43	0.52
Sleep Disturbance	51.90 (6.20)	53.83 (8.38)	48.50 (10.76)	0.28	0.39