๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-05-07

Improving Adherence to Spinal Cord Injury Exercise Guidelines Using Smartphone Technology and E-coaching (NCT05424172)

Improving Adherence to Spinal Cord Injury Exercise Guidelines Using Smartphone-Based Technology and E-coaching: A Proof-of-Concept SMART-Design Study

๐ŸŸข Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ๐Ÿง  Behavioral & Psychological Program Sponsor: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The goal of this research is to increase physical activity among individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) through a customized, interactive smartphone-based health app and e-coaching using three phases: (1) leading focus groups of potential app users and clinicians to gain information regarding health apps preferences for optimal consumer use, (2) conducting a usability study of the customized app to determine the quality and implement further changes for optimization, and (3) conducting a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to determine the most effective adaptive intervention to improve exercise adherence. A SMART trial will be used to determine when and how to adapt dosage, timing, and delivery to increase adherence and address low-response behaviors. In Stage-I, the investigators will compare outcomes among participants using a generic, non-interactive exercise app (Group 1) to a customized, interactive app that can gain information through frequent Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) that will be used to modify each participant's exercise programs (Group 2). After 12 weeks, participants who are not meeting the exercise guidelines at least 50% of the time will also be asked to participate in motivational interviewing-based e-coaching either two or four times per month in addition to their originally assigned intervention (Stage-II). By completing these three phases, this project addresses deficiencies in exercise levels and compliance by implementing an individualized exercise prescription, an adaptive intervention for low responders, a way to address barriers to exercise, and a free smartphone app for broad implementation.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab โ€” Chicago, Illinois

Age range: 18 Years to 80 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

  • Stage-I, Group 1: Self monitoring using Non-interactive App (BEHAVIORAL)
  • Stage-I, Group 2: Self monitoring using Interactive App (BEHAVIORAL)
  • Stage-II, Groups 1a/2a: E-Coaching 1x per month (BEHAVIORAL)
  • Stage-II, Groups 1b/2b: E-Coaching 2x per month (BEHAVIORAL)

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab โ€” Chicago, Illinois

๐Ÿ“ž Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (312) 238-7113

Email: snataletti@sralab.org

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—