Examining long-term motivational and behavioral outcomes of two physical activity interventions

Abstract

Objective

To examine possible impacts of two theory-based interventions – “Enhancing quality of life through exercise: A tele-rehabilitation approach (TEQ) and Active Living Lifestyles for individuals with SCI who use Wheelchair (ALLWheel)” – 12–18 months post-intervention on the satisfaction of psychological needs and motivation for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), LTPA participation, and participation experience.

Design

A mixed-methods follow-up study.

Setting

Community.

Participants

Sixteen TEQ and six ALLWheel participants completed questionnaires and a semi-structured interview, 12–18 months after completing the interventions.

Intervention

TEQ intervention participants received a weekly LTPA counseling session with a trained kinesiologist through videoconferencing for 8 weeks. ALLWheel participants interacted with a peer mentor who provided LTPA counseling using smartphones for 10 weeks.

Outcome Measures

The Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise, and the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire were used as primary outcome measures. The LTPA barrier self-efficacy scale, the Measure of Experiential Aspects of Participation, and the 7-day LTPA Questionnaire for Adults with SCI were used as secondary outcome measures. A coding framework was created and deductive thematic analyses were used to analyze the qualitative data.

Results

Medium to large effects were found for autonomous motivation (TEQ), competence (TEQ and ALLWheel), and barrier self-efficacy (TEQ and ALLWheel). LTPA remained higher for the TEQ intervention group compared to the control group at follow-up, while an increase in moderate-to-vigorous LTPA was found in ALLWheel participants.

Conclusion

Community-based tele-rehabilitation and virtual rehabilitation approaches, informed by theory, may assist adults with SCI in implementing LTPA over the long term.

Keywords:

• Exercise
• Disability
• Peers
• Theory
• Maintenance

Acknowledgements

Emily Bremer and Tayah M. Liska equally contributed to this manuscript and thus they are considered co-first authors. We would like to thank Pierre Lepage, Emma Baggio, and Sophie Bourassa who assisted with data collection.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Funding This project was supported by the Rehabilitation Interventions for Individuals with a SCI in the Community (RIISC) research team funded by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation and the Quebec Rehabilitation Research Network. Emily Bremer is supported by a Canadian Institute of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship. Tayah M. Liska is supported by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Shane N. Sweet is supported by a Canada Research Chair in Participation, Well-Being, and Physical Disability (Tier 2). Krista L. Best is supported by a Quebec Health Research Funds (FRQS) Junior 1 scholar award.

Conflicts of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Emily Bremer is supported by a Canadian Institute of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship. Tayah M. Liska is supported by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Shane N. Sweet is supported by a Canada Research Chair in Participation, Well-Being, and Physical Disability (Tier 2). Krista L. Best is supported by a Quebec Health Research Junior 1 scholar award.