AUTHOR=Wilroy Jereme D. , Kim Yumi , Lai Byron , Ivankova Nataliya , Herbey Ivan , Sinha Tanvee , Rimmer James H. TITLE=How do people with physical/mobility disabilities benefit from a telehealth exercise program? A qualitative analysis JOURNAL=Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2022 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/rehabilitation-sciences/articles/10.3389/fresc.2022.932470 DOI=10.3389/fresc.2022.932470 ISSN=2673-6861 ABSTRACT=

People with neurological and physical disabilities (PWD) experience a myriad of secondary and chronic health conditions, thus, reducing their participation and quality of life. A telehealth exercise program could provide a convenient opportunity for improving health in this population. To describe participants' perceived benefits of a telehealth physical activity program among PWD, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 study participants after completing the 24-week program SUPER-HEALTH (Scale-Up Project Evaluating Responsiveness to Home Exercise and Lifestyle TeleHealth). Interview data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The mean age of the sample was 51 ± 13 years, the primary disability was Multiple Sclerosis, and there were nine men (30%) and 21 (70%) women. Inductive thematic analysis resulted in four themes that include the following: (1) improved health and function, (2) increased activity participation, (3) improved psychosocial health, and (4) optimized performance and benefits. These preliminary findings provided support for the use of a home exercise program and recommendations to improve it to enhance benefits among PWD.