Ms Hannah Daniel1, Dr Emily Bray2, Dr Emma Beckman3,4, Ms Kathryn Smith1, A/Prof Melissa Kendall2,5,6, Prof Sean Tweedy3, Dr Timothy Geraghty2,7, Mr James Richardson1, Mr Glenn Verner-Wrenn7, Mr Peter Tonks1, Mr Jai Peach1, Dr Elise Gane1,8,9
1Queensland Health, Woolloongabba, Australia, 2The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Woolloongabba, Australia, 3School of Human Movement and Nutrition Science, UQ, St Lucia, Australia, 4Sporting Wheelies, Milton, Australia, 5Brain Injury Outreach Service, Metro South Health, Buranda, Australia, 6Transitional Rehabilitation Program, Metro South Health, Buranda, Australia, 7Division of Rehabilitation, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Australia, 8School of health and rehabilitation sciences, UQ, St Lucia, Australia, 9Centre of Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Buranda, Australia
Biography:
Hannah graduated from the University of Queensland with Honours as the Valedictorian of the Graduating class of 2016, and was able to publish her Honours project in Gait and Posture the following year. Since graduating Hannah has worked at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Hannah has a keen interest in neuro, particularly in people with traumatic brain injuries, as well as increasing the amount of physical activity people in rehabilitation units are able to do day to day. This led to a partnership with Table Tennis Australia, UQ and sporting wheelies, to re-instate physical activity groups in inpatient settings.
Abstract:
Background:
Incorporating sport into the rehabilitation setting produces more stimulating environments contributing to improved participation and meaningful activities for patients; however, more needs to be explored about the potential impact such activities could have during the inpatient phase of rehabilitation, and what contribution these activities could have in preparation for participating in sport in the community.
Design:
From October ‘22 to June ‘23, individuals with ABI or SCI receiving inpatient rehabilitation were invited to participate in a weekly sporting program. 30 participants were able to be consented for this study. Patient-reported measures of participation and exercise self-efficacy were collected at enrolment (baseline), hospital discharge, and three months post-discharge. Surveys measured perceptions of the program from participants at hospital discharge, and from coaches and staff upon conclusion of the study. Qualitative interviews were conducted three months post-discharge to explore the uptake of sport in the community.
Results:
Quantitative analysis indicated that total levels of participation and the living skills sub-scale of the patient-reported questionnaire improved over time. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four themes of: Participation enhanced the rehabilitation experience, Experience was impacted by operational factors, Sporting programs were not considered a pathway to competitive sports and, moving forward with sport in the community was impacted by competing priorities.
Conclusion:
Participation in an inpatient sports program helped participants feel a sense of social connection and improved mental wellbeing. It did not however improve links to sport in the community within the short time frame that follow-up was completed.