Website Redesign of a 16-Week Exercise Intervention for People With Spinal Cord Injury by Using Participatory Action Research

JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol, 2019 · DOI: 10.2196/13441 · Published: December 6, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Telehealth & Digital Health Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study focuses on redesigning a website-based exercise program for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The goal was to make the program more user-friendly and effective in promoting physical activity. Researchers used a participatory action research (PAR) approach, involving people with SCI in the redesign process to gather feedback and ensure the website met their needs and preferences. The redesigned website includes features like easy-to-navigate modules, videos, and resources, all tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals with SCI when trying to incorporate exercise into their lives.

Study Duration

16 Weeks

Participants

7 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The substantially redesigned website offers an easier-to-navigate platform for people with SCI with greater functionality that delivers information using a module format with less text, short video segments, and presents more resources.
2
Participants strongly encouraged the team to provide users a roadmap by reorganizing the content to clearly indicate the order in which someone should review information.
3
The main content changes that participants encouraged were reducing the volume of text and using images and videos to convey that content.

Research Summary

This paper described the process and outcome of using a participatory action research (PAR) approach to translate a theory-based, telephonic intervention that targeted increased participation in regular physical activity to be delivered in a group-based setting over the internet. Using a PAR approach to formally include men and women with SCI who represented different impairment levels and exercise histories to collaborate with our team in revamping the WOWii website led to a substantial redesign of the site. The revamped site had less text, greater functionality, and more images of people with SCI throughout.

Practical Implications

Improved Website Design

The study provides insights into designing accessible and engaging websites for individuals with SCI, emphasizing the importance of user involvement in the design process.

Enhanced Physical Activity

The redesigned website has the potential to promote physical activity among people with SCI by addressing barriers and providing tailored resources and support.

Future Research

The study highlights the need for further research to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the redesigned website in increasing physical activity among individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Feedback for adapting the website came from a small convenience sample of individuals with SCI who were not representative of the broader population living with SCI.
2
The sample had more education, higher employment, and was less racially diverse than observed among the broader SCI population.
3
The energy expenditure guide would also have presented exorbitant financial costs as the values are not easily available.

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