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mHealth Physical Activity Intervention for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: Planning and Development Processes

JMIR Formative Research, 2022 · DOI: 10.2196/34303 · Published: August 19, 2022

Spinal Cord InjuryRehabilitationTelehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to develop a mobile health intervention, called SCI Step Together, to improve the quantity and quality of physical activity among individuals with SCI who walk. The intervention planning and development process included primary and secondary research, design of intervention objectives and features, behavioral analysis and theory, a logic model, and program content development. End users provided recommendations for the technology, trial, and intervention content, which were incorporated as best as possible.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
Three end users pilot-tested the app and participated in the interviews.
Evidence Level
Not specified

Key Findings

  • 1
    The study identified issues to be addressed when designing intervention objectives and features.
  • 2
    End users recommended comparing physical activity levels with guidelines and emailing participants' worksheets.
  • 3
    Using the SCI IKT Guiding Principles ensured shared decision-making power in intervention development, maximizing the meaningfulness of the app for end users.

Research Summary

This paper describes the 4-step intervention planning and development processes of an mHealth intervention to increase the quantity and quality of physical activity participation among individuals with SCI who walk. The SCI Step Together program was developed in partnership with partners to optimize intervention content and delivery. The intervention was systematically created with evidence generated from primary mixed methods and review research (step 1), which informed the behavioral analysis and theoretical modeling (step 2) to produce a logic model (step 3).

Practical Implications

mHealth Intervention Development

Outlines how programs can be planned and developed in partnership while using evidence, a Person-Based approach, and theoretical modeling.

Incorporating Theory and BCTs

Provides guidance on how to incorporate theory and BCTs into mHealth interventions.

Promoting App Engagement

Offers an mHealth intervention development method that may be useful in promoting app engagement.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Studies in step 1 were conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2
    A relatively small sample of participants was used in step 1 and for partner interviews in step 4.
  • 3
    Many co-created ideas were not incorporated due to limited technology capacity.

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