Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity Measures and Their Association With Depression and Satisfaction With Life in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.
Sara J Mulroy, Patricia E Hatchett, Valerie J Eberly and 5 others
PMID 27109328WHAT IT FOUND
People with spinal cord injury who pushed their wheelchairs farther reported fewer depressive symptoms.
However, time spent in leisure activities predicted life satisfaction, not general wheelchair distance. This suggests targeting specific meaningful activities for well-being, while overall movement helps mood.
Key findings
01Greater daily wheelchair propulsion distance was significantly correlated with fewer depressive symptoms.
02Leisure-time physical activity was the only significant predictor of higher satisfaction with life; wheelchair distance and speed were not.
03Self-reported hours away from home and car transfers predicted objective wheelchair distance, but self-reported leisure activity did not.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Data came from three separate studies with time gaps between self-report and objective measurements, averaging over a year for half the participants. Wheelchair odometers cannot distinguish between self-propulsion and being pushed by others. The study population had high rates of unemployment and low income, which may limit generalizability to other socioeconomic groups. Self-reported measures only captured a 3-day period, while objective measures covered 3 years, creating a mismatch in the timeframe of assessment.
Declared interests
None reported in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that increasing general wheelchair activity will improve life satisfaction. The study found that only leisure-time physical activity predicted higher satisfaction with life, while overall wheelchair distance was associated with reduced depression but not life satisfaction.