A market test of a tailored physical activity handbook for people with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) information is in high demand but scarcely available to people with spinal cord injury (SCI). To meet this demand, effective informational resources are needed. Research suggests that tailored messages increase the relevance of PA information. The purpose of this study was to market test a tailored PA handbook among people with SCI (n = 11, 72.7% men, Mage = 43.2 ± 9.5, Myears post injury = 13.7 ± 10.7). Participants completed a baseline questionnaire assessing functional ability and social cognitions (e.g., barrier self-efficacy, outcome expectancies). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a PA handbook tailored to baseline information (n = 6) or a generic PA handbook (n = 5). The usability, appeal, and relevance of the handbook were assessed at 2 weeks. The groups were compared using t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes. The tailored handbook was read more thoroughly than the generic handbook (t = -2.086, df = 9, p = 0.067, d = -1.22). Despite being a similar length, participants in the generic condition expressed greater concern about the length of the handbook (t = 1.990, df = 9, p = 0.078, d = 1.21). The tailored handbook was also rated as being more enjoyable, easier to read, and was considered to have more relevant and novel content compared to the generic handbook (d > 0.60). Results provide some evidence for using tailored messages when creating informational resources regarding PA for the SCI population.

Acknowledgments: Heather Gainforth (Recruitment), Rebecca Bassett (Recruitment), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Funding)