Quality of Physical Activity Participation Among Adults with Disabilities Through Pandemic Restriction.

Background. Physical activity (PA) is essential for maintaining well-being in adults with disabilities. This population experienced reduced PA during the COVID-19 pandemic; yet, the impact on quality of PA participation remains unclear. Purpose. This secondary analysis explored how pandemic restrictions impacted six experiential dimensions of quality of PA participation among adults with disabilities. Methods. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, including semi-structured interviews (n = 10) and self-reported surveys (n = 61), was conducted in May-2020 and February-2021. Quality of PA participation was measured using the Measure of Experiential Aspects of Participation (MeEAP). Participants included community-dwelling adults over 19 years of age (mean 59.2 ± 14.0 years) living with stroke, spinal cord injury, or other physical disabilities. Findings. Directed content analysis identified three themes related to adjusting PA participation for restrictions, motivation barriers, and valuing social support. These themes highlighted five factors, such as resilience, as potential quantitative predictors of quality of PA participation. While paired correlations with MeEAP scores were observed, these factors were not statistically predictive in multiple regression analysis (adjusted R2 = -0.14, F(10,50) = 0.92, p = .53). Implications. The interplay between Meaning, Autonomy, Engagement, and Belongingness dimensions of quality of PA participation was complex, with an emphasized role for mental health, in adults with disabilities.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Related Lived Experiences of Individuals With a Spinal Cord Injury/Disease

Introduction COVID-19 related restrictions and recommendations have impacted everyone. Those living with a disability, such as individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI), may have had pandemic related changes made yet more challenging by societal failures to accommodate their mobility, physical abilities, and health care needs. To better understand participants experiences we drew upon Heidegger's phenomenology and the mobilities paradigm. The objective of this study was to explore COVID-19 pandemic related lived-experiences of individuals with an SCI. Materials and Methods This study used an interpretive phenomenological methodology. Semi-structured interviews were the primary means of data collection. These were conducting in May and June of 2020, roughly 2–3 months into the pandemic. Transcript data were analyzed using a phenomenological methodology. Results We interviewed 22 participants with SCI, the mean age was 54 years, and nine were females. We identified three themes: (1) Experiencing changes to mobility and daily life described how new rules had impacted everyday life and usual routines, particularly in regard to mobility. (2) Struggling with new challenges explored some of the negative experiences of the pandemic. (3) Being resilient in the face of a new normal conveyed the resilience participants exhibited despite challenges. Conclusion Although our findings indicate some positive changes and highlight the strengths that many individuals with SCI have, they also accentuate issues with ableism within the medical system. Certain changes were made primarily because people without disabilities needed them, and several COVID-19 changes were made without consulting individuals with disabilities. With physical movement restricted, our findings emphasize the importance of the movement of information and a need for increased dialogue with people in the SCI community about their ongoing pandemic related needs.

Pandemic-Related Experiences of Older Adults and People with Disabilities...American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Annual Conference (Virtual), September 24−29, 2021

To understand how pandemic related restrictions and regulations have affected older adults and people with disabilities we drew on Sen's Capabilities Approach (Sen, 1985;Venkatapuram, 2011) to explore their pandemic-related experiences. This qualitative description study (Sandelowski, 2000;2010) used interview data that were collected as part of a larger mixed-methods study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductive analysis was informed by Sen's Capabilities Approach. Teleconference. We recruited community dwelling participants from four groups: people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) (n = 22), people who have experienced a stroke (n = 26), people with other disabilities (n = 13), and older adults (over the age of 65) without reported disabilities (n = 10). N/A. N/A. Our analysis identified one overarching theme: "navigating the new normal" described the challenges and successes participants experienced in the face of pandemic-related recommendations, restrictions and regulations. The overarching theme encapsulated three sub-themes. 1) "Trying to stay connected" explored feelings of social isolation and strategies used to reduce feelings of loneliness. 2) "Worrying about the future" described the personal and societal uncertainties participants grappled with. 3) "Exerting control" emphasized how participants tried to deal with pandemic related restrictions that affected their daily activities and health management. As has been found in previous survey research, pandemic restrictions appear to have exacerbated previously existing inequities experienced by some older adults and people with disabilities, as those who were disadvantaged prior to the pandemic, bore the brunt of restrictions (Drum et al., 2020). Greater consultation is needed to reduce detrimental effects of pandemic restrictions on these populations and promote strengths-based approaches to deal with the current situation and potential future pandemics. The authors have no disclosures.

The Impact of COVID-19-Related Restrictions on Social and Daily Activities of Parents, People With Disabilities, and Older Adults: Protocol for a Longitudinal, Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to wide-scale changes in societal organization. This has dramatically altered people's daily activities, especially among families with young children, those living with disabilities such as spinal cord injury (SCI), those who have experienced a stroke, and older adults. OBJECTIVE: We aim to (1) investigate how COVID-19 restrictions influence daily activities, (2) track the psychosocial effects of these restrictions over time, and (3) identify strategies to mitigate the potential negative effects of these restrictions. METHODS: This is a longitudinal, concurrent, mixed methods study being conducted in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Data collection occurred at four time points, between April 2020 and February 2021. The first three data collection time points occurred within phases 1 to 3 of the Province of BC's Restart Plan. The final data collection coincided with the initial distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. At each time point, data regarding participants' sociodemographics, depressive and anxiety symptoms, resilience, boredom, social support, instrumental activities of daily living, and social media and technology use were collected in an online survey. These data supplemented qualitative videoconference interviews exploring participants' COVID-19-related experiences. Participants were also asked to upload photos representing their experience during the restriction period, which facilitated discussion during the final interview. Five groups of participants were recruited: (1) families with children under the age of 18 years, (2) adults with an SCI, (3) adults who experienced a stroke, (4) adults with other types of disabilities, and (5) older adults (>64 years of age) with no self-reported disability. The number of participants we could recruit from each group was limited, which may impact the validity of some subgroup analyses. RESULTS: This study was approved by the University of British Columbia Behavioural Research Ethics Board (Approval No. H20-01109) on April 17, 2020. A total of 81 participants were enrolled in this study and data are being analyzed. Data analyses are expected to be completed in fall 2021; submission of multiple papers for publication is expected by winter 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our study will inform the development and recommendations of a new resource guide for the post-COVID-19 period and for future public health emergencies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/28337.