Evaluation of a Physical Activity Behavior Change Program for Individuals With a Brain Injury

To investigate the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention for use within a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program for individuals with brain injury.

Quasi-experimental comparison group design with 3-month follow-up.

Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation clinic that is a transitional setting between acute inpatient rehabilitation and community dwelling.

Individuals (N=47) with a brain injury were enrolled into either the intervention (n=22; 8 women, 14 men; mean age, 48.68y) or control group (n=25; 9 women, 16 men; mean age, 46.23y).

Consisted of an 8-week informational and social/behavioral program that focused on enabling individuals to become independently active. The control group completed the standard of care typically available to patients in comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey self-report physical activity items, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, and Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4.

The intervention group reported significantly (P<.001) greater weekly activity, self-efficacy, and rehabilitation outcomes at the completion of the program as well as at the 3-month follow-up when compared with the control group. Significantly, individuals in the experimental group reported increasing their weekly activity from 45 minutes preprogram to 72 minutes postprogram (d=2.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.78-2.52), and 67 minutes at 3-month follow-up.

Findings suggest that the intervention may be effective in increasing the physical activity behaviors of individuals engaged in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program after brain injury.