Developing Physical Activity Interventions for Adults With Spinal Cord Injury. Part 3: A Pilot Feasibility Study of an Intervention to Increase Self-Managed Physical Activity

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to test the efficacy and feasibility of a group-mediated cognitive behavioral training (GMCB) intervention for increasing self-managed leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who are already somewhat active. Methods: Participants were 13 members of a supervised exercise program for adults with SCI. They took part in a 9-week, evidence-based, theoretically framed, GMCB intervention designed to promote self-regulatory skills and to increase the amount of time spent in self-managed L'TPA, outside of the supervised program. Minutes/week of self-managed and supervised LTPA were measured pre- and postintervention, along with measures of social cognitive variables. Participants' and the interventionist's perceptions of the intervention were also assessed. Results: Participants nearly doubled their total min/week of LTPA, as the result of a significant increase in self-managed LTPA from baseline (M = 42.00 +/- 69.57 min/week) to postintervention (M = 197.50 +/- 270.86 min/week; p < .05), at no cost to supervised LTPA. Consistent with the GMCB and counseling of self-regulatory skills, self-regulatory efficacy was sustained and action planning increased from pre- (M = 4.63 +/- 3.25) to postintervention (M = 6.83 +/- 2.40; p = .06). The intervention materials and protocol were perceived as usable by the interventionist and participants and had good intervention fidelity. Conclusions: Persons with SCI can voluntarily increase their self-managed LTPA after learning and practicing self-regulatory skills. GMCB training interventions are a feasible approach for teaching these skills.