Tele-Exercise to Promote Empowered Movement in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Tele-Exercise to Promote Empowered Movement in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury, TEEMS
Drexel University
200 participants
May 4, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
To achieve our specific aims and hypotheses we will conduct a parallel group mixed methods randomized control trial comparing participation in the TEEMS program with exercise via asynchronous video library equivalent (control). The use of mixed methods will allow for the integration of quantitative findings with the qualitative, lived perspective of participants to provide a comprehensive analysis of the tele-exercise program outcomes. All aspects of the study from recruitment, screening, data collection, tele-exercise delivery and team meetings will be virtual to promote access and inclusion by removing barriers and promoting engagement. This study will compare our live group TEEMS program with individual pre-recorded exercise videos. We created TEEMS with the intention of maximizing exercise independence for participants, which decreases need for caregivers during physical activity. The design and participation in TEEMS is meant to increase personal factors that facilitate participation in exercise. These personal factors include confidence and positive associations with exercise. When these personal factors are targeted, individuals with SCI are more likely to participate in physical activity, which supports overall health and QoL.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- at least 12 months post SCI (motor spinal level C5 or below)
- between 18-75 years of age
- ability to elevate shoulders >25% range
- use assistive technology for mobility
- not currently receiving structured rehabilitation (i.e. new episode of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation services to treat a new or exacerbated mobility issue. Individuals attending outpatient services for ongoing wellness reasons are eligible to participate).
- screened and medically cleared (if appropriate) for participation using the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Preparticipation Health Screening Tool. The ACSM Health Screen helps to determine if an individuals should seek a medical referral prior to participation in exercise. The guideline for the screening are based on (1) current exercise participation, (2) history and symptoms of cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease, and (3) desired exercise intensity. The algorithm is based on risk stratification and minimizing the barriers of exercise participation by decreasing the number of unnecessary medical referrals.
- For this study and the safety of participants, those who need a medical referral based on the ACSM preparticipation health screen will be required to provide documentation of medical clearance from their primary medical provider prior to study participation. Dr. York will review screening information and medical clearances to ensure safe inclusion.
- internet access to attend synchronous exercise classes
Exclusion Criteria6
- Known or suggestive cardiovascular, metabolic, and/or renal disease and/or presence of absolute or relative contraindications to exercise participation that is considered unsafe by their medical team
- self-report previous hospitalization within a month,
- self report active pressure injury
- self report recent osteoporotic fracture
- self-report uncorrectable vision loss,
- self-report preexisting neurological conditions other than SCI
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Interventions
Participants will participate in the TEEMS biweekly for 8 weeks (synchronous intervention). The synchronous group will attend sessions 2 times per week, with all sessions recorded. The sessions will be 60-minutes total, including 45-minutes of physical activity. Recorded sessions will be made available for participants to use on their own at the end of each week, building a video of 16 videos. The program will be taught by a rehabilitation clinician with expertise in SCI and adapted exercise while our co-instructor will offer peer guidance and demonstrate lived translation of movement with an SCI. Class will take place over a web-based platform (such as Zoom).TEEMS instructors also orient participants to the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE, 6-20 scale) to be used as an self-exertion check throughout class and to be recorded in a provided logbook. RPE is used as a self-assessment of moderate-vigorous intensity exercise.
Participants will participate in the TEEMS biweekly for 8 weeks (asynchronous video library). The asynchronous, control group will be provided with 2 recorded videos weekly that align with the synchronous group sessions, building a 16 video library as well. The sessions will be 60-minutes total, including 45-minutes of physical activity. The program will be taught by a rehabilitation clinician with expertise in SCI and adapted exercise while our co-instructor will offer peer guidance and demonstrate lived translation of movement with an SCI. Class will take place over a web-based platform (such as Zoom).TEEMS instructors also orient participants to the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE, 6-20 scale) to be used as an self-exertion check throughout class and to be recorded in a provided logbook. RPE is used as a self-assessment of moderate-vigorous intensity exercise.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07022808