A pilot study of a web-based physical activity motivational program for adults with physical disabilities

Purpose.?Develop, deliver, and assess the efficacy of a 4-week web-based leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) motivational program based on the Transtheoretical Model and tailored to inactive adults with physical disabilities.

Method.?This was a pilot-based study incorporating a true experimental design with one treatment and one control group. The intervention program was delivered on the web and was based on the constructs of the Transtheoretical Model. From the 151 individuals who completed the LTPA standardized questionnaire at baseline, 75 people participated in the 1-month post-test assessment.

Results.?The results of the analysis confirmed the pretest LTPA scores as the study covariate for the post-test assessment (F (1,72) = 16.06, p = 0.001, η² = 0.18). Based on the one-way ANCOVA, there were no statistically significant differences in LTPA scores between the treatment and control groups at post-test. However, the corresponding effect size and variance explained by the treatment approached a moderate level of significance (d = 0.34 and η² = 0.04).

Conclusions.?Although conclusive statements about program effectiveness cannot be secured, several ‘lessons learned’ from this project may be ‘key factors’ for program improvement. Given the pilot nature of the study and the limited resources for program development and monitoring, continued examination of such motivational materials and delivery mechanisms for people with physical disabilities appear warranted.