Differences among participants’ response to a wellness intervention for individuals with spinal cord injuries

Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J82529

Journal:

Disability and Health Journal

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2020 , 13, 1, 100842

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study identified the characteristics of participants who were responders and non-responders in a wellness intervention developed specifically for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Participants who received a wellness intervention engaged in six in-person workshops over a 3-month period, led by wellness experts with peer mentors available. Individual intervention participant change was compared to the mean among control-group participants target outcomes variables (i.e., satisfaction with life, self-efficacy for health practices, secondary conditions, health promoting behaviors, and perceived stress) to classify responders versus non-responders. Twenty-nine people with SCI who completed baseline and three-month assessments of the intervention were included in analyses. Of the 29 participants, 18 who completed the intervention were classified as responders and 11 were non-responders. The mean age was 43.2 years, and years post-injury were 12.0. Decision tree regression analysis for demographic variables and injury characteristics showed that single/divorced participants were more likely to not respond to the intervention (52 percent), compared to married participants (17 percent). Further, participants who were single/divorced and 50 years old or younger were more likely to not respond to the intervention (62 percent) than those who were older (25 percent). The findings suggest that single/divorced individuals with SCI may respond differently to behavioral wellness interventions than married individuals. Additionally, the effects of age on treatment response in behavioral interventions should be further examined. Identifying non-modifiable factors related to response heterogeneity may help guide the creation of tailored interventions specific to patient characteristics

Author(s):