Benefits of an exercise wellness program after spinal cord injury
Model System:
SCIReference Type:
JournalAccession No.:
J78079Journal:
Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine - JSCM (formerly Journal of the American Paraplegia Society)
Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):
, 40, 2, 154-158Publication Website:
Abstract:
Study examined the initial benefits of a structured group exercise program on exercise frequency and intensity, perceived health, pain, mood, and television watching habits for people with spinal cord Injury (SCI). Eighty-nine people with SCI participated voluntarily in a no-cost, twice weekly physical therapy group exercise class over 3 months. Forty-five of those participants completed both pre- and post-participation interviews on exercise frequency and intensity, perceived health, pain, mood, sleep, and television watching habits. Results showed a significant improvement in days of strenuous and moderate exercise as well as health state. There was an average decrease in pain scores, depression scores, number of hours spent watching television, and days per week of mild exercise. Findings suggest that participation in structured, small-group exercise as a component of a wellness program after SCI shows promise for improving regular exercise participation and health state, but benefits may also occur across other areas of health and function including mood, pain, and hours spent watching television. Further follow-up is needed to determine whether improvements can be maintained after program completion and across all neurological levels.