The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health among Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

Abstract

This scoping review investigates the correlation between physical activity and mental health among individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, it aims to elucidate the effectiveness of various exercise regimens, barriers hindering participation, and psychological implications. The synthesis of this data seeks to inform targeted interventions tailored to this demographic, ultimately striving to enhance their mental well-being and overall quality of life. SCI is a devastating condition that often leads to significant impairments in physical function, leading to disability and mental health illnesses. Hence, understanding the prevalence and relationship between physical activity and mental health in individuals with SCI is crucial for informing rehabilitation strategies and optimizing outcomes.

To comprehensively analyze existing research on the link between physical activity and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injuries, identifying effective exercise methods, barriers, and psychological impacts to inform targeted interventions and improve their mental health and well-being

The electronic search strategy will be used to identify prevalence studies published since 1993 in health-related databases such as PubMed, Medline, CENTRAL, and Wiley Library. The keywords will be ‘Spinal Cord Injury OR Paraplegia OR Tetraplegia’ AND ‘Physical Activity OR Exercise AND Mental Health OR Mental Illness OR Mental Disorder’. Bibliographies of primary studies and review articles meeting the inclusion criteria will be searched manually to identify further eligible studies. The risk of bias in the included studies will be appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for prevalence study by two review authors. Any disagreement will be resolved through consensus discussion.

We will summarize the selection of the eligible studies using a flowchart. The data from the studies will be extracted and tabulated. This scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

The scoping review underscores the complex relationship between physical activity and mental health among individuals with spinal cord injuries, highlighting diverse exercise modalities, barriers to engagement, and psychological implications. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in devising tailored interventions aimed at enhancing mental well-being. This synthesis of evidence emphasizes the need for personalized strategies to promote physical activity, addressing unique challenges faced by this population to foster improved mental health outcomes and overall quality of life

Open Science Framework, https://osf.io/ugx7d/