Health-enhancing physical activity interventions in non-ambulatory people with severe motor impairments – a scoping review

AbstractPurpose Non-ambulatory people with severe motor impairments due to chronic neurological diagnoses are forced into a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the type and amount of physical activity interventions performed in this population as well as their e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eveline S. Graf, Claudio Perret, Rob Labruyère, J. Carsten Möller, Markus Wirz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Annals of Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2023.2219065
Description
Summary:AbstractPurpose Non-ambulatory people with severe motor impairments due to chronic neurological diagnoses are forced into a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the type and amount of physical activity interventions performed in this population as well as their effect.Methods PubMed, Cochran and CINAHL Complete were systematically searched for articles describing physical activity interventions in people with a chronic, stable central nervous system lesion. The outcome measures needed to include physiological or psychological variables, measures of general health or quality of life.Results Of the initial 7554 articles, 34 were included after the title, abstract, and full-text screening. Only six studies were designed as randomized-controlled trials. Most interventions were supported by technologies, mainly functional electrical stimulation (cycling or rowing). The duration of the intervention ranged from four to 52 weeks. Endurance and strength training interventions (and a combination of both) were performed and over 70% of studies resulted in health improvements.Conclusions Non-ambulatory people with severe motor impairments may benefit from physical activity interventions. However, the number of studies and their comparability is very limited. This indicates the need for future research with standard measures to develop evidence-based, specific recommendations for physical activity in this population.Key messagesPhysical activity interventions can have health benefits in non-ambulatory people with severe motor impairments.Even simple, low-tech interventions allow for health-enhancing training.
ISSN:0785-3890
1365-2060