Interdisciplinary bodyweight management program for persons with SCI

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2020 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1547860 · Published: January 1, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Nutrition & Dietetics

Simple Explanation

This project aimed to help overweight individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) lose weight through a comprehensive program. It combined nutrition guidance, exercise routines, and strategies for managing behavior to promote weight loss. The WHEELS program included an interdisciplinary team including a registered dietician a physical therapist, a psychologist, and a physician. Motivational Interviewing was conducted during the screening evaluation to elicit personal relevant reasons for behavioral change, to assess ambivalence, and to collaborate on goal setting for the program.

Study Duration

12 weeks

Participants

18 overweight persons with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Seventeen out of 18 participants experienced weight loss and decreased waist circumference after completing the 12-week program.
2
The program effectively reduced weight and waist circumference, and participants did not regain weight six months after the program's completion.
3
Diabetes Risk Scores improved for eleven out of eighteen participants, indicating a lowered risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Research Summary

This quality improvement project investigated the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary weight management program (WHEELS) for overweight individuals with SCI. The program included nutrition, exercise, and behavioral management strategies. The study found significant weight loss and reduced waist circumference among participants after the 12-week program, with sustained results six months post-program. The results suggest the benefits of an SCI-specific weight management program. The program recognized significant changes in patients’ bodyweight and waist circumference, as well as improvements in important measurements like DRS score.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

The study supports the use of interdisciplinary weight management programs tailored to individuals with SCI to promote weight loss and improve health outcomes.

Program Development

The WHEELS program can serve as a model for developing and implementing similar interventions in SCI rehabilitation settings.

Further Research

The authors suggested further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in a randomized controlled study to confirm the clinical benefits of the WHEELS program for the SCI population.

Study Limitations

1
The study was a quality improvement program and not a randomized controlled trial.
2
The population was neurologically heterogeneous.
3
Data regarding pre-SCI BMI was not available on all subjects.

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