title: An internet survey of the characteristics and physical activity of community-dwelling Australian adults with acquired brain injury: Exploring interest in an internet-delivered self-management program focused on physical activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) are more likely to be physically inactive and experience barriers to accessing services to address inactivity. This study was designed to guide the development of an internet-delivered self-management program to increase physical activity after ABI.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to examine the current physical activity status of community-dwelling Australian adults with ABI, the barriers to physical activity they experience and to explore interest an internet-delivered self-management program aimed at increasing physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey of Australian adults with ABI was used to collect information about demographic characteristics; general health; emotional well-being; mobility and physical activity status, and satisfaction; barriers to physical activity; confidence in overcoming barriers, and; interest in an internet self-management program. Data were analyzed descriptively and correlational analyses examined relationships between variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were analyzed from 59 respondents. Over half were not satisfied with their current physical activity status. The most frequently reported barriers were pain/discomfort, fatigue and fear, and confidence to overcome these barriers was very low. Interest in an internet-delivered self-management program was high (74%) and not related to the amount of physical activity, satisfaction with physical activity and mobility status or total number of barriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Australian adults with ABI are not satisfied with their activity levels and experience barriers in maintaining their physical activity levels. Participants were interested in accessing an internet-delivered self-management program aimed at improving physical activity levels. Therefore such a program warrants development and evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: taryn.jones@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Taryn M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Blake F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Dear
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hush
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Nickolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Titov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise; D005221:Fatigue; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010146:Pain; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Barriers; Internet; Physical activity; Self-management; Stroke