Development and Feasibility of Health Mechanics: A Self-Management Program for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

The study focuses on Health Mechanics, a program designed to help individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) manage their health and prevent secondary conditions through self-management techniques. A self-management approach was chosen as the focus of the Health Mechanics program because of its effectiveness in improving health status and health behaviors, increasing self-efficacy, improving adherence to medication regimens, decreasing pain, and lowering health care costs. The Health Mechanics program does not focus on providing education or information about SCI or secondary conditions associated with SCI. Instead, the focus of the Health Management program is the instruction or reinforcement of self-regulatory skills for individuals with SCI who manage their own health.

• 1
  The Health Mechanics intervention was perceived as useful and relevant in addressing a diverse range of health issues, but attrition rates and recruitment barriers suggested limitations in the acceptability of the in-person format.
• 2
  Participants in the experimental intervention showed higher levels of self-efficacy and fewer depressive symptoms at baseline, indicating potential differences in the groups that may have influenced outcomes.
• 3
  The study highlighted the feasibility challenges of administering the program in an in-person outpatient setting, including transportation issues and the time commitment required for participation.