Vol. 49 No. 1 (2017), Exercise Psychology Abstracts
Vol. 49 No. 1 (2017)

Physical activity self-management interventions for adults with spinal cord injury: Part 2 – exploring the generalizability of findings from research to practice

Exercise Psychology Abstracts
Published 2017-11-15
Shauna M Burke
School of Health Studies, Western University
Jennifer R Tomasone
School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University
Natalie V Scime
School of Health Studies, Western University
Jasmin K Ma
School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia
Samantha M Harden
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech
Dalton L Wolfe
School of Health Studies, Western University & Parkwood Institute, London, Ontario

Abstract

Despite the benefits associated with regular participation in physical activity, individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) remain insufficiently active. The ability to self-manage participation may increase physical activity levels, but only if self-management interventions can be implemented in the 'real world'. As a follow-up to a systematic review of the leisure time physical activity (LTPA) self-management intervention literature for adults with SCI, a secondary analysis was conducted to examine the degree to which these published studies reported on factors that could increase the likelihood of translating this research into practice. A systematic search of five databases was conducted, yielding 27 eligible studies representing 26 interventions. Each intervention was assessed using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) Framework and the PRECIS-2 (PRagmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary) tool. The most commonly reported RE-AIM dimensions were Effectiveness (48.5% of interventions) and Reach (18.3%), followed by Implementation (12.3%), Maintenance (11.2%), and Adoption (1.0%). Of the eight possible Adoption variables, only setting adoption rate was reported in one study. Overall, interventions were scored as primarily explanatory in six of the nine PRECIS-2 domains (recruitment, primary analysis, organization, flexibility [delivery], flexibility [adherence], follow-up) and primarily pragmatic in one domain (setting). These findings suggest that while some LTPA self-management interventions for individuals with SCI are intended to be translated to real world settings, limited information is available to understand the degree to which this has been accomplished. Enhanced reporting of factors related to external validity is recommended to increase the likelihood of translating these interventions into practice.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge Lindsay Sleeth and Stephanie Marrocco of the SCIRE Research Team who contributed to this review.