title: Effectiveness of a novel community exercise transition program for people with moderate to severe neurological disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of a community re-integration exercise initiative on function, mood, participation, and exercise adherence for persons with moderate to severe neurological conditions (stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc.).
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 29 adults (able to walk at least 3 m with assistance) discharged from an outpatient rehabilitation program for the 10 week intervention which was comprised of two components: circuit training and guided transition to a standard gym setting. We evaluated participants before and after the intervention and at four month follow up, including functional balance and mobility using the Timed Up and Go Test, walking endurance using the 6 Minute Walk Test, health related quality of life (HR QoL) using a visual analogue scale, activity and participation using the Frenchay Activities Index and mood using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven participants completed the intervention. The only significant improvement was in HR QoL. Forty-four percent of participants continued to exercise after cessation of the program. Those who continued to exercise (Exercisers n = 12) experienced more improvement in HR QoL than Non-Exercisers (n = 15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This re-integration initiative for people with neurological impairments improved HR QoL and facilitated independent exercise for 44% of participants. The novel component of the program, which facilitated transition to standard gym equipment, likely contributed to improved exercise adherence in the longer term.
authors.affiliation: Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Program, Eastern Health Authority, L.A. Miller Centre Eastern Health, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ploughman
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Program, Eastern Health Authority, L.A. Miller Centre Eastern Health, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shears
authors.affiliation: Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.affiliation: Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Drodge
authors.affiliation: YMCA Northeast Avalon, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Squires
authors.affiliation: Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Program, Eastern Health Authority, L.A. Miller Centre Eastern Health, St. John's, NL, Canada.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Community-based; Parkinson's disease; multiple sclerosis; neurological disorders; participation; quality of life; stroke