Delivering physical activity interventions to people living with spinal cord injuries (SCI) can be difficult, in part, due to the fact that there are many variables to address; and determining which ones are most important may only be relevant to that individual.
As physiotherapists, we understand the benefits of regular physical activity—whether exercising or participating in meaningful movements—for people living with SCI. We often provide recommendations for increased physical activity participation to help address secondary outcomes associated with SCI. These can include an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
However, when trying to deliver this type of intervention, the effectiveness is typically determined on a case-by-case basis. As a result, optimal SCI-specific physical activity intervention strategies for the physiotherapy setting have not well documented before now.
Propel Physiotherapy’s clinic director Kyle Whaley and clinic manager Hoong Phang were fortunate to be invited to participate in an expert clinical panel that helped to guide a scientific study that was aimed at addressing this issue.
In the study created by Dr. Jasmin K Ma and Dr. Kathleen A Martin Ginis of the University of British Columbia, it was determined that optimal physical activity intervention for people living with SCI should always include the following:
1. Education on safety, spinal cord injury physical activity guidelines, the benefits of physical activity, and behaviour change techniques.
2. Referral to peers, local programmes and resources, and other health professionals, supports and organizations.
Spinal Cord Injury Resources Peer Program links
3. Adapted exercise prescriptions.
Parasport athlete Tiffany Ayne-Gaudette working with Propel Physiotherapy’s Martha Garrick. You may also be interested in reading the personal story of Tiffany Ayne-Gaudette, one of our amazing clients, and a shining example of the power of sport in spinal cord injury recovery.
Given this framework, the ProACTIVE SCI Toolkit: A Physiotherapist’s Guide to Promoting Physical Activity to Clients who have Spinal Cord Injuries was developed.
In this toolkit, the authors guide physiotherapists on how to effectively administer a physical activity intervention, in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation setting. Specifically, this toolkit will provide clinicians the opportunity to problem solve and work through why their clients are or are not participating in the recommended amount of physical activity.
The information and knowledge gained from this study moves physical activity literature for people living with SCI in a positive direction. In addition, the findings of this study help to guide physiotherapists who are trying to implement physical activity prescriptions and guidelines for people living with SCI.
Propel Physiotherapy is excited to share this literature with our colleagues and clients to help guide and implement physical activity interventions.
References
[1] Ma, J., Cheifetz, O., Todd, K., Chebaro, C., Phang, S.H., Shaw, R., Whaley, K. & Martin Ginis, K.A. (2019). Co-development of a physiotherapist-delivered physical activity intervention for adults with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord, 58, 778-786.
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