Group Tele-exercise for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

This pilot study used a mixed methods approach to determine outcomes of a group tele-exercise program to promote physical and psychosocial well-being (mood), quality of life (QOL) and enhanced physical activity for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Eleven volunteers with SCI participated in virtual group exercise consisting of mind-body movement practice to build strength, fitness, confidence, and QOL. An experienced community exercise instructor and a trained co-leader with lived experience of SCI co-taught each session. Qualitative group interviews and quantitative measures of QOL, mood, pain interference and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) were obtained at baseline and 8-weeks. Increased QOL and reduced pain interference were found following the program, with moderate-to-large effect sizes for increased LTPA. Strong associations among pain interference, mood, QOL and LTPA change were identified. Our novel tele-exercise program demonstrated promise for utility to increase LTPA engagement while enhancing QOL and well-being in individuals with SCI.