Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity Measures and Their Association With Depression and Satisfaction With Life in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2016 · DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.03.018 · Published: October 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how well people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) report their own physical activity levels compared to objective measurements, and how these measures relate to their depression and satisfaction with life. Researchers used wheelchair odometers to track daily activity and questionnaires to assess self-reported activity, depression, and life satisfaction. The study found that self-reported time away from home and fewer car transfers were linked to greater wheelchair use. The study suggests that physical activity, especially leisure activities, plays a role in reducing depression and improving life satisfaction in people with SCI.

Study Duration

3 years

Participants

86 individuals with traumatic SCI who use a manual wheelchair

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Objective wheelchair propulsion (WCP) distance and speed were predicted by self-reported time away from home/yard and lower frequency of car transfers.
2
Daily distance of WCP was negatively correlated with depression (PHQ-2).
3
Time in leisure PA was the only significant predictor of SWLS scores.

Research Summary

This study investigated the relationship between objective and self-reported physical activity (PA) measures, depression, and satisfaction with life (SWL) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that self-reported measures, specifically time away from home/yard and car transfers, were related to objective measures of wheelchair propulsion (WCP). The study also found that WCP distance was negatively correlated with depression, and leisure-time PA (LTPA) was a significant predictor of SWL, highlighting the importance of physical activity and meaningful activities for QOL in this population.

Practical Implications

Self-Report PA Measure

When objective PA measures are not practical, short-term recall of hours away from home/yard not spent driving or riding in a vehicle is a useful self-report measure.

Depression Intervention

Interventions to improve depression should focus on increasing overall PA and WCP activity.

SWL Intervention

Interventions to improve SWL should be targeted toward leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), focusing on activities that are meaningful to the individual.

Study Limitations

1
Data were collected from 3 separate studies.
2
Self-report assessments were collected on a single day and reflected PA over a 3-day period, whereas the objectively measured WCP data were collected over a 3-year period.
3
Odometers attached to the wheelchair do not distinguish between self-propulsion and pushing by another person.

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