Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity Measures and Their Association With Depression and Satisfaction With Life in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.
To identify associations between objective and self-reported measures of physical activity (PA) and relationships with depression and satisfaction with life (SWL) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).



Retrospective, cross-sectional study of objectively measured wheelchair propulsion (WCP) from 2 studies in which an odometer was attached to participants' wheelchairs to record daily speed and distance. Self-reported data were collected in a separate study examining dyspnea, PA, mood, and SWL.



Outpatient clinic in a rehabilitation center.



Individuals (N=86) with traumatic SCI who use a manual wheelchair.



Not applicable.



Objective measures of PA included average daily distance and speed of WCP measured by an odometer. Self-report questionnaires included demographics, the 24-hour recall of transfers, Physical Activity Recall Assessment for People with SCI, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) to document depressive symptoms, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).



Both objective measures of WCP, average daily distance and speed, were predicted by the combination of self-reported daily time away from home/yard and lower frequency of car transfers ([r=.367, P=.002] and [r=.434, P<.001], respectively). Daily distance of WCP was negatively correlated with depression (PHQ-2) (r=-.309, P=.004). Time in leisure PA was the only significant predictor of SWLS scores (r=.321, P=.003).



Short-term recall of hours away from home/yard not spent driving or riding in a vehicle is suggested as a self-report measure that is moderately related to overall WCP PA in this population. Results of this study suggest that depression is related to decreased PA and WCP activity, while SWL is related to leisure PA.
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA. Electronic address: smulroy@dhs.lacounty.gov.
Sara J
SJ
Mulroy
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA.
Patricia E
PE
Hatchett
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA.
Valerie J
VJ
Eberly
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA.
Lisa Lighthall
LL
Haubert
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA.
Sandy
S
Conners
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA.
JoAnne
J
Gronley
Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Eric
E
Garshick
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Downey, CA.
Philip S
PS
Requejo
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Motor activity; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injuries