Lifestyle and health changes in wheelchair users with a chronic disability after 12 weeks of using the WHEELS mHealth application

Dirk Hoevenaars, Jasmijn F M Holla, Sonja de Groot, Peter J M Weijs, Wessel Kraaij, Thomas W J Janssen

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine changes in physical activity, nutrition, sleep behaviour and body composition in wheelchair users with a chronic disability after 12 weeks of using the WHEELS mHealth application (app).

METHODS: A 12-week pre-post intervention study was performed, starting with a 1-week control period. Physical activity and sleep behaviour were continuously measured with a Fitbit charge 3. Self-reported nutritional intake, body mass and waist circumference were collected. Pre-post outcomes were compared with a paired-sample t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Fitbit data were analysed with a mixed model or a panel linear model. Effect sizes were determined and significance was accepted at p < .05.

RESULTS: Thirty participants completed the study. No significant changes in physical activity (+1.5 √steps) and sleep quality (-9.7 sleep minutes; -1.2% sleep efficiency) were found. Significant reduction in energy (-1022 kJ, d  = 0.71), protein (-8.3 g, d  = 0.61) and fat (-13.1 g, d  = 0.87) intake, body mass (-2.2 kg, d  = 0.61) and waist circumference (-3.3 cm, d  = 0.80) were found.

CONCLUSION: Positive changes were found in nutritional behaviour and body composition, but not in physical activity and sleep quality. The WHEELS app seems to partly support healthy lifestyle behaviour.Implications for RehabilitationHealthy lifestyle promotion is crucial, especially for wheelchair users as they tend to show poorer lifestyle behaviour despite an increased risk of obesity and comorbidity.The WHEELS lifestyle app seems to be a valuable tool to support healthy nutrition choices and weight loss and to improve body satisfaction, mental health and vitality.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)648-657
Number of pages10
JournalDisability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Volume19
Issue number3
Early online date27 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Funding

This study was funded by Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Regieorgaan SIA and the S\u00E3o Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) under the big data and sports call 2016.

FundersFunder number
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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