title: Preferred methods and messengers for delivering physical activity information to people with spinal cord injury: a focus group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perceptions of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) regarding preferred messengers and methods for obtaining physical activity (PA) information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a phenomenological approach and interviewing techniques, five focus groups discussed PA information delivery methods and messengers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen community-dwelling adults with SCI (62.5% tetraplegia, 37.5% paraplegia; at least one-year postinjury) whose PA levels ranged from sedentary to regularly active.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Content analyses revealed that the preferred media for obtaining PA information were passive sources (e.g., Internet, DVDs, newsletters). The preferred messengers were peers and health service providers. There were diverse perspectives about the value and types of PA messages to share with people in the acute, rehabilitation, and postdischarge stages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methods and messengers identified in this study illustrate the need for interdisciplinary engagement among various program and health care providers to work together to effectively deliver PA information to all individuals with SCI. People will be receptive to different messages, from different channels, at different times.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. lettsl@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Letts
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Martin Ginis
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Colquhoun
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levac
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gorczynski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010379:Peer Group; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*