Feasibility and acceptability of an adapted peer-based walking intervention for adults with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week peer-based walking intervention for adults with moderate-to-severe TBI with telehealth supports. Pre-post feasibility trial with 18 community-dwelling adults (10 men; 8 women) with moderate-to-severe TBI aged 21-61 years (<i>M</i> = 40.6, <i>SD</i> = 11.3). Feasibility outcomes included participation, attrition, safety across 12 90-minute sessions, and telehealth platform quality. Acceptability outcomes included program satisfaction. Exploratory outcomes included daily step count with activity trackers and pre-post intervention questionnaires (mood, leisure satisfaction, exercise self-efficacy, quality of life) through video conferencing. 15/18 (83%) participants completed ≥ 9 sessions (75%). Three participants were lost to attrition. No major adverse events reported. Minor events included fatigue and muscle soreness. Participants reported high satisfaction (<i>M</i> = 9.2/10, <i>SD</i> = 0.9). Average weekly steps per day rose from 10,011 to 11,177 steps (12%). Three participants' step count data were not included due to tremors or forgetting to wear the device (≥ 9 days). One major and several minor connectivity problems occurred. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests identified a significant change in negative affect (<i>p</i> < 0.002). Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week peer-based walking intervention with telehealth supports for our sample.