Objective: To examine possible impacts of two theory-based interventions - "Enhancing quality of life through exercise: A tele-rehabilitation approach (TEQ) and Active Living Lifestyles for individuals with SCI who use Wheelchair (ALLWheel)" - 12-18 months post-intervention on the satisfaction of psychological needs and motivation for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), LTPA participation, and participation experience.
Design: A mixed-methods follow-up study.
Setting: Community.
Participants: Sixteen TEQ and six ALLWheel participants completed questionnaires and a semi-structured interview, 12-18 months after completing the interventions.
Intervention: TEQ intervention participants received a weekly LTPA counseling session with a trained kinesiologist through videoconferencing for 8 weeks. ALLWheel participants interacted with a peer mentor who provided LTPA counseling using smartphones for 10 weeks.
Outcome measures: The Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise, and the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire were used as primary outcome measures. The LTPA barrier self-efficacy scale, the Measure of Experiential Aspects of Participation, and the 7-day LTPA Questionnaire for Adults with SCI were used as secondary outcome measures. A coding framework was created and deductive thematic analyses were used to analyze the qualitative data.
Results: Medium to large effects were found for autonomous motivation (TEQ), competence (TEQ and ALLWheel), and barrier self-efficacy (TEQ and ALLWheel). LTPA remained higher for the TEQ intervention group compared to the control group at follow-up, while an increase in moderate-to-vigorous LTPA was found in ALLWheel participants.
Conclusion: Community-based tele-rehabilitation and virtual rehabilitation approaches, informed by theory, may assist adults with SCI in implementing LTPA over the long term.
Keywords: Disability; Exercise; Maintenance; Peers; Theory.