Automatically tailored exercise app training is feasible, usable, and safe for people with paraplegia: a parallel...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Assistive Technology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Mobile exercise apps can promote fitness for individuals with paraplegia.
• Existing apps often require healthcare professional support for progression.
• The ParaGym app was developed with an algorithm for tailored exercise progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and safety of the ParaGym app's exercise program.
• To evaluate the usability of the ParaGym app.
• To determine the app's potential for further development.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-three participants with chronic paraplegia completed 6 weeks of app-delivered exercise (3 sessions/week).
• A mixed-methods approach included interviews, diaries, adherence/retention rates, System Usability Scale (SUS), and adverse event monitoring.
• Qualitative content analysis was used for interview data.

Main Results:

• High satisfaction, adherence (70%), and retention (88%) were reported.
• The app demonstrated good usability (mean SUS score 84/100) and perceived safety, with no adverse events.
• Participants found exercises suitable but suggested improvements for exercise transitions and timing.

Conclusions:

• App-delivered exercise sessions via ParaGym are feasible and the app is user-friendly.
• Further development should focus on practical aspects like exercise grouping and personalization.
• A refined ParaGym app could offer valuable, accessible fitness opportunities for wheelchair users.