Spinal Cord Research Help
AboutCategoriesLatest ResearchContact
Subscribe
Spinal Cord Research Help

Making Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Accessible to Everyone. Simplified summaries of the latest research, designed for patients, caregivers and anybody who's interested.

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Categories
  • Latest Research
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • Contact Us
© 2025 Spinal Cord Research Help

All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Spinal Cord Injury
  4. Physical activity is related to lower levels of pain, fatigue, and depression in individuals with spinal cord injury: A correlational study

Physical activity is related to lower levels of pain, fatigue, and depression in individuals with spinal cord injury: A correlational study

Spinal Cord, 2009 · DOI: 10.1038/sc.2008.120 · Published: April 1, 2009

Spinal Cord InjuryParticipationRehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study looked at how physical activity relates to pain, fatigue, and depression in people with spinal cord injuries. The researchers found that higher levels of physical activity, especially heavy intensity activity, were linked to lower levels of pain and fatigue and higher self-confidence. Even mild activities of daily living contributed to overall physical activity and were associated with fewer depressive symptoms.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
49 subjects with SCI
Evidence Level
Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

  • 1
    Approximately 50% of reported physical activity among individuals with SCI is due to activities of daily living.
  • 2
    Greater heavy intensity activity was related to lower levels of pain and fatigue and higher levels of self efficacy.
  • 3
    Higher amounts of mild intensity activity and total activity were related to less depressive symptoms.

Research Summary

This study provides an evaluation of the level and nature of physical activity among a cohort of individuals with SCI. Demographic factors measured in this study (sex, age, time since injury, and lesion level) were not determinants of physical activity. This data highlights that secondary complications (pain, fatigue) are barriers, while self efficacy is a facilitator, to physical activity participation.

Practical Implications

Promote physical activity

Encouraging physical activity, even mild intensity, can help reduce secondary complications like pain, fatigue, and depression in individuals with SCI.

Address barriers

Healthcare providers should address barriers such as pain and fatigue to help individuals with SCI participate in physical activity.

Boost self-efficacy

Interventions should focus on boosting self-efficacy to facilitate physical activity participation among individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Cross-sectional design limits causality
  • 2
    Small sample size
  • 3
    Potential for chance significance due to multiple correlations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury