The feasibility and effect of a peer-facilitated, remote handcycling sport program for aging adults with spinal cord injury or disease: a mixed methods case series.

STUDY

DESIGN

Concurrent mixed methods case series.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the feasibility and effect of a peer-facilitated, remote handcycling sport program on physical, psychological, and social health of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) aged ≥50 years.

SETTING

Participants' homes.

METHODS

Manual wheelchair users aged ≥50 years with chronic SCI/D were eligible. Participants completed remote, group-based handcycling at moderate-vigorous intensity twice weekly for 12 weeks, co-led by a physiotherapist and peer with SCI/D. Handcycling duration was progressively increased to 45 min. Outcome measures were completed at three timepoints (pre-, post-, 12 weeks post-training). True change was assessed using the two-standard deviation band method for the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Positive Affect and Well-Being Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and minimal detectable change for the 6 min Push Test (6MPT). Semi-structured interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five participants enrolled; four completed the program and one was withdrawn following fractures unrelated to program. Overall, divergence was observed when comparing quantitative and qualitative findings. Interview data revealed participants perceived physical, psychological, and social health improvements, but there was minimal change in quantitative scores. A few instances of convergence were noted; e.g., immediately post-intervention, SP01 experienced improvement in 6MPT distance, which corroborated SP01's perceived physical health improvements. At 12-week follow-up, SP03 experienced reduction in ESES score, which aligned with SP03's reports of skin issues limiting sport.

CONCLUSIONS

Remote handcycling provided some health benefits for participants with SCI/D aged ≥50 years.