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The development of a tool to track participation in activity-based therapy (ABT) for people with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) was identified as a priority of the Canadian ABT Community of Practice. The objective of this study was to understand multi-stakeholder perspectives on tracking ABT participation across the continuum of care. Forty-eight individuals from six stakeholder groups (persons living with SCI/D; hospital therapists; community trainers; administrators; researchers; and funders, advocates and policy experts) were recruited to participate in focus group interviews. Participants were asked open-ended questions concerning the importance of and parameters around tracking ABT. Transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Themes reflected the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of tracking ABT. Participants described the importance of involving hospital therapists, community trainers and individuals with SCI/D in tracking ABT to capture both subjective and objective parameters across the continuum of care and injury trajectory. Digital tracking tools were favoured, although paper-based versions were regarded as a necessity in some circumstances. Findings highlighted the importance of tracking ABT participation for individuals with SCI/D. The information may guide the development of ABT practice guidelines and support the implementation of ABT in Canada. Tracking the details of activity-based therapy (ABT) sessions and programs across the continuum of care and injury trajectory may provide important information to support the development of ABT practice guidelines and implementation strategies. Tracking objective and subjective parameters are needed to provide a comprehensive description of an ABT session and program. Clinicians and individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) should both be able to track ABT to accommodate all settings and types of data. Digital tracking tools, such as an app, may provide an accessible, versatile and efficient way of tracking ABT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand and compare the perspectives of multiple interest groups on activity-based therapy (ABT) practice in Canada for people living with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D). A qualitative, descriptive study using focus group interviews. Web conferencing. Forty-eight individuals from six key groups that have an interest in ABT (10 individuals living with SCI/D, 6 physical and occupational therapists, 12 community-based exercise trainers, 8 hospital and community administrators, 7 researchers and 5 advocacy experts) were purposively sampled from across Canada. Participants had 0.25 to 33 years of knowledge of ABT and/or experience participating in or supervising ABT programs. Not applicable. Semi-structured interviews that probed the reasons for participating in or practicing ABT, the types of exercises and equipment used and the associated barriers and facilitators to ABT practice. An inductive conventional content analysis identified six themes. (1) ABT differs from conventional rehabilitation. In particular, ABT emphasizes exercise intensity and neurorecovery below the neurological level of injury. (2) ABT practice has a diverse clientele and differs in the type of practitioners across settings. Physical and occupational therapists provide ABT in hospitals, whereas community-based clinics are mainly operated by kinesiologists. Individuals with SCI/D who participate in ABT include all ages, levels, severities and time post-injury. (3) ABT practice varies in style, structure, dosage and types of exercises and equipment used. (4) ABT increases physical function, health and psychosocial well-being. (5) Cost, distance, faulty equipment and lack of skilled practitioners limit ABT practice. (6) Adequate staffing and effective equipment facilitate ABT practice. Participants highlighted the diversity in practice of ABT in Canada for people with SCI/D. Findings will be used to inform the development of ABT practice guidelines. The identified barriers and facilitators to ABT practice will assist in guiding successful implementation of ABT across the continuum of care. Nothing to disclose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]