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Objectives: This project used a systematic and integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach to co-create theory- and evidence-based best practices for physical activity counseling for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI)., Methods: Guided by the IKT Guiding Principles, we meaningfully engaged research users throughout this project. A systematic approach was used. An international, multidisciplinary expert panel ( n  = 15), including SCI researchers, counselors, and people with SCI, was established. Panel members participated in two online meetings to discuss the best practices by drawing upon new knowledge regarding counselor-client interactions, current evidence, and members' own experiences. We used concepts from key literature on SCI-specific physical activity counseling and health behavior change theories. An external group of experts completed an online survey to test the clarity, usability and appropriateness of the best practices., Results: The best practices document includes an introduction, the best practices, things to keep in mind, and a glossary. Best practices focused on how to deliver a conversation and what to discuss during a conversation. Examples include: build rapport, use a client-centred approach following the spirit of motivational interviewing, understand your client's physical activity barriers, and share the SCI physical activity guidelines. External experts ( n  = 25) rated the best practices on average as clear, useful, and appropriate., Conclusion: We present the first systematically co-developed theory- and evidence-based best practices for SCI physical activity counseling. The implementation of the best practices will be supported by developing training modules. These new best practices can contribute to optimizing SCI physical activity counseling services across settings.

Background: Health, fitness and lifestyle professionals can play important roles in promoting physical activity in groups at risk of developing an inactive lifestyle, such as people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Tailored counselling is a promising tool to promote and improve physical activity levels. To support professionals to effectively have a conversation about physical activity with clients with SCI, evidence-based training and resources are needed. This project aimed to (1) co-develop an e-learning course on best practices for SCI physical activity counselling and, (2) examine the effectiveness and usability of this course., Methods: Guided by the technology-enhanced learning (TEL) evaluation framework, we used a systematic, multistep approach to co-develop and evaluate an e-learning course. The development process was informed by input and feedback from a diverse group of end-users and experts (n > 160) via online surveys and (think-aloud) interviews. A randomized controlled trial was used to compare learning outcomes (post-knowledge and self-efficacy) between participants who completed the course (intervention group) and the wait-listed control group. Usability, learning experiences, and satisfaction were assessed among all participants., Results: Forty-one participants (21 intervention-group; 20 control-group) with various backgrounds (e.g., lifestyle counsellors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, fitness trainers) enrolled in the randomized controlled trial. After completing the course, participants in the intervention group showed significantly improved knowledge on the best practices for SCI physical activity counselling and higher self-efficacy for using these best practices in conversations with clients with SCI compared to the control group (p <.001). Participants reported above average usability scores, positive learning experiences, and high levels of satisfaction when completing the course., Conclusion: We used a systematic, multi-step, theory-informed approach to co-develop and evaluate an evidence-based e-learning course on SCI physical activity counselling to support professionals to promote physical activity in their daily practices. The overall positive findings demonstrate that the e-learning course is feasible and ready for further implementation in various health and community settings. Implementation of the e-learning course can help professionals improve the physical activity support they provide to their clients, and subsequently increase physical activity participation in people with SCI., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Study Design: Scoping review., Objective: To identify and provide systematic overviews of partnership principles and strategies identified from health research about spinal cord injury (SCI) and related health conditions., Methods: Four health electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO) were searched from inception to March 2019. We included articles that described, reflected, and/or evaluated one or more collaborative research activities in health research about SCI, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amputation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, acquired brain injury, or wheelchair-users. Partnership principles (i.e. norms or values) and strategies (i.e. observable actions) were extracted and analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis., Results: We included 39 articles about SCI (n = 13), stroke (n = 15), multiple sclerosis (n = 5), amputation (n = 2), cerebral palsy (n = 2), Parkinson's disease (n = 1), and wheelchair users (n = 1). We extracted 110 principles and synthesized them into 13 overarching principles. Principles related to building and maintaining relationships between researchers and research users were most frequently reported. We identified 32 strategies that could be applied at various phases of the research process and 26 strategies that were specific to a research phase (planning, conduct, or dissemination)., Conclusion: We provided systematic overviews of principles and strategies for research partnerships. These could be used by researchers and research users who want to work in partnership to plan, conduct and/or disseminate their SCI research. The findings informed the development of the new SCI Integrated Knowledge Translation Guiding Principles (www.iktprinciples.com) and will support the implementation of these Principles within the SCI research system.

Purpose: This study aimed to: (1) develop a coding manual to characterize topics discussed and conversation techniques used during peer mentorship conversations between people with spinal cord injury (SCI); (2) assess the reliability of the manual; and (3) apply the manual to characterize conversations., Materials/methods: The study was conducted in partnership with three Canadian provincial SCI organizations. Twenty-five phone conversations between SCI peer mentors and mentees were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Ten transcripts were inductively analyzed to develop a coding manual identifying topics and techniques used during the conversations. Inductive technique codes were combined and deductively linked to motivational interviewing and behaviour change techniques. Two coders independently applied the coding manual to all transcripts. Code frequencies were calculated., Results: The coding manual included 14 topics and 31 techniques. The most frequently coded topics were personal information , recreational programs , and chronic health services for mentors and mentees. The most frequently coded techniques were giving personal information, social smoothers , and closed question for mentors; and giving personal information , social smoothers , and sharing perspective for mentees., Conclusion: This research provides insights into topics and techniques used during real-world peer mentorship conversations. Findings may be valuable for understanding and improving SCI peer mentorship programs.Implications for RehabilitationSCI peer mentorship conversations address a wide range of rehabilitation topics ranging from acute care to living in the community.Identification of the topics discussed, and techniques used in SCI peer mentorship conversations can help to inform formalized efforts to train and educate acute and community-based rehabilitation professionals.Identifying commonly discussed topics in SCI peer mentorship conversation may help to ensure that peer mentors are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources, or the development of those resources be prioritized.Developing a method to characterize the topics discussed and techniques used during SCI peer mentorship conversations may aid in designing methods to evaluate how rehabilitation professionals provide support to people with SCI.

Purpose: To explore sexuality after spinal cord injury (SCI) from the perspectives of individuals with SCI and their romantic partners., Methods: A sample of 8 Canadian adults with SCI (6 men, 2 women) and their partners participated in this study ( N  = 16). Semi-structured dyadic and individual interviews were conducted, discussions surrounding sexuality and intimacy were extracted, and a qualitative description of the interview data was performed using thematic analysis., Results: Three major themes were identified: the changing definition of sex; emotions; and practical support. Couples' conversations around the changing definition of sex after SCI addressed the taboo topic of sexuality and the importance of communication between couples, peers, and healthcare providers. Emotions included fears of losing intimacy, embarrassment in managing bladder and bowel interference, and acceptance in balancing being a romantic partner and a caregiver. Finally, couples reported challenges accessing practical support including medical interventions and sexual health nurses, but saw value in peer mentorship programs., Conclusion: Couples explored a changing definition of sex following SCI that was complicated by the taboo nature of discussing sexuality, experienced a range of emotions throughout the recovery process, and had difficulties navigating the healthcare system for appropriate support.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHealthcare professionals should promote discussion and provide support for sexuality following SCI, but during initial rehabilitation may be too early.Healthcare providers should prepare people with SCI and their partners for the inevitable trial-and-error process involved in sexual rehabilitation.Rehabilitation professionals could direct couples to SCI peer mentorship programs to help normalize the experiences and emotions of sexual rehabilitation.

Study Design: Qualitative study., Objective: Use an integrated knowledge translation (IKT) and theory-based approach, to (1) explore factors influencing smoking cessation behaviour among people with SCI, and (2) explore the preferred intervention and implementation options for smoking cessation interventions for persons with SCI., Setting: Community., Methods: Aligned with an IKT approach, an SCI organization was meaningfully engaged throughout the research process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with SCI who have quit or tried to quit smoking. Barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation were extracted and deductively coded using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and inductively analysed. To identify intervention options, a behavioural analysis was conducted using the Behaviour Change Wheel. To identify implementation options, modes of delivery and intervention messengers were extracted. Modes of delivery were deductively coded, and themes relating to intervention messengers were constructed., Results: Among the 12 participants (7 males; 6 with tetraplegia), seven had quit and five had relapsed. Across the 12 interviews, 130 barriers and 218 facilitators were coded to the TDF. The prominent TDF domains were beliefs about consequences, social influences, environmental context and resources, and behavioural regulation, and served as themes in the inductive analysis. Multiple modes of delivery and intervention messengers were considered important for the delivery of smoking cessation interventions., Conclusion: This study is the first to use IKT and theory-based approaches to explore factors influencing smoking cessation among persons with SCI. Findings from this study resulted in the co-development of practical recommendations for future SCI-specific smoking cessation interventions., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Spinal Cord Society.)

Purpose: To establish consensus regarding principles that should be used to guide spinal cord injury (SCI) research partnerships between researchers and research users., Materials and Methods: A three-round Delphi consensus exercise was carried out with researchers and/or research users involved in one or more SCI research partnerships. Participants considered a list of 125 partnership principles. In rounds 1 and 2, participants rated their agreement that a principle should guide SCI research partnerships on an 11-point Likert scale. After each round, principles that received a mean score of ≥8.0 or 70% of participants rated the principle ≥8.0 were retained. In round 3, participants categorized principles as essential, desirable, irrelevant, or unsure., Results: At least 20 individuals participated in each round. In round 1, 103 principles met consensus criteria and eight principles were added. In round 2, 93 principles met the criteria. In round 3, 29 principles were categorized as essential and eight as desirable. Recommended principles focused on the interpersonal, relational, and logistical aspects of partnerships. Principles that did not reach consensus related to social justice and actionable impact., Conclusions: Findings provide insight into 37 principles that could be used to combat tokenism and inform future guidance to meaningfully engage partners in SCI research.Implications for RehabilitationConsensus-based research partnership principles (i.e., norms or beliefs) were identified and could be prioritized to help support spinal cord injury (SCI) researchers and research users combat tokenism and meaningfully engage research users as partners in the co-creation of knowledge.The resulting list of recommended research partnership principles was used to inform the development of guidance to support quality partnerships between SCI researchers and research users within and outside the rehabilitation context (www.IKTprinciples.com).Guidance supporting meaningful research partnerships may accelerate the time between discovery and use of research in practice.

Background: Research partnership approaches are becoming popular within spinal cord injury (SCI) health research system, providing opportunities to explore experiences of and learn from SCI research partnership champions. This study aimed to explore and describe SCI researchers' and research users' (RU') experiences with and reasons for conducting and/or disseminating (health) research in partnership in order to gain more insight into potentially ways to build capacity for and foster change to support research partnerships within a health research system., Methods: Underpinned by a pragmatic perspective, ten semi-structured timeline interviews were conducted with researchers and RU who have experiences with SCI research partnerships. Interviews focused on experiences in participants' lives that have led them to become a person who conducts and/or disseminates research in partnership. Data were analysed using narrative thematic analysis., Results: We identified three threads from participants' stories: (1) seeing and valuing different perspectives, (2) inspirational role models, and (3) relational and personal aspect of research partnerships. We identified sub-threads related to experiences that participants draw on how they came to be a person who engage in (health) research partnerships, and sub-threads related to participants' reasons for engaging in research partnerships. While most sub-threads were identified from both researchers' and RU' perspectives (eg, partnership successes and failures), some were unique for researchers (morally the right thing to do) or RU (advocating)., Conclusion: Using a narrative and pragmatic approach, this study provided a new understanding of SCI researchers' and RU' partnership experiences over time. We found that participants' research partnership experiences and motivations align with components of leadership theories. The findings from this study may be used to inform strategies and policy programs to build capacity for conducting and disseminating (health) research in partnership, within and beyond SCI research., (© 2022 The Author(s); Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.)

Background: Improvement to autonomic processes such as bladder, bowel and sexual function are prioritised by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Bowel care is associated with high levels of dissatisfaction and decreased quality of life. Despite dissatisfaction, 71% of individuals have not changed their bowel care routine for at least 5 years, highlighting a disconnect between dissatisfaction with bowel care and changing routines to optimise bowel care., Objective: Using an integrated knowledge translation approach, we aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to making changes to bowel care in individuals with SCI., Methods: Our approach was guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel and used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with SCI (n = 13, mean age 48.6 ± 13.1 years) and transcribed verbatim (duration 31.9 ± 7.1 min). Barriers and facilitators were extracted, deductively coded using TDF domains and inductively analysed for themes within domains., Results: Changing bowel care after SCI was heavily influenced by four TDF domains: environmental context and resources (workplace flexibility, opportunity or circumstance, and access to resources); beliefs about consequences; social influences (perceived support and peer mentorship); and knowledge (knowledge of physiological processes and bowel care options). All intervention functions and policy categories were considered viable intervention options, with human (61%) and digital (33%) platforms preferred., Conclusions: Modifying bowel care is a multi-factorial behaviour. These findings will support the systematic development and implementation of future interventions to both enable individuals with SCI to change their bowel care and to facilitate the optimisation of bowel care approaches., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: To examine how the quality of spinal cord injury peer mentorship relationships and mentor-mentee behaviors are impacted by interaction modality., Methods: Using a within-subjects, repeated measures, experimental design, peer mentors (n = 8) completed two mentoring sessions with a standardized mentee in a telephone and a video chat condition. Measures of therapeutic alliance and autonomy supportiveness were administered following each session. Mentors' leadership behaviors, motivational interviewing skills, and behavior change techniques were compared across conditions. Mentors' and mentees' use of motivational interviewing skills and behavior change techniques were further analyzed using state space grids., Results: Mentors' therapeutic alliance, autonomy supportiveness, use of leadership behaviors, motivational interviewing skills, and behavior change techniques did not significantly differ across the two conditions (ps > 0.123; Cohen's d range = 0.218-0.619). State space grids analyses revealed that the dynamic structure of mentoring conversations was similar when interactions occurred through the telephone versus video chat., Conclusions: Mentors were effective at forming positive, autonomy supportive relationships with mentees in telephone and video chat interaction conditions. Mentors also used leadership/counselling behaviors to a similar extent when interacting through these two modalities., Practice Implications: Organizations that provide peer mentorship can have confidence in using both telephone and video chat modalitites., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: The study used a generic qualitative design., Objectives: This article set out to garner knowledge of peer mentorship programs delivered by SCI community-based organizations by interviewing people who are directly and in-directly involved with these programs., Setting: Four provincial community-based SCI organizations across Canada. An integrated knowledge translation approach was applied in which researchers and SCI organization members co-constructed, co-conducted, and co-interpreted the study., Methods: Thirty-six individuals (N = 36, including peer mentees, mentors, family members of mentees, and organizational staff) from four provincial SCI community-based organizations were interviewed. The participants' perspectives were combined and analyzed using a thematic analysis., Results: Two overarching themes with respective subthemes were identified. Mentorship Mechanics describes the characteristics of mentors and mentees and components of the mentor-mentee relationship (e.g., establish a common ground). Under the theme Peer Mentorship Program Structures, participants described the organizational considerations for peer mentorship programs (e.g., format), and organizational responsibilities (e.g., funding; creating a peer mentorship team)., Conclusion: This study provides an in-depth look at the characteristics of peer mentorship programs that are delivered by community-based organizations in Canada and highlights the complexity of delivering such programs., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Spinal Cord Society.)

Study Design: A generic qualitative design., Objectives: To obtain a deeper understanding of the outcomes of spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentorship programs delivered by community-based organizations., Setting: Peer mentorship programs of community-based SCI organizations METHODS: We interviewed 36 individuals who shared their experiences of SCI peer mentorship from the perspective of a peer mentee, peer mentor, or family member of a peer mentee/mentor, or staff of SCI community-based organizations. Interview data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach., Results: Four overarching themes with sub-themes were identified. (1) Positive outcomes for mentees such as understanding, emotional outlet/psychological support, inspiration/hope, and belonging. (2) Positive outcomes for mentors such as gaining gratitude, confidence, pride, and personal growth. (3) Reciprocity in positive/negative outcomes for mentors and mentees, such as shared learning and a lack of connection. (4) Negative outcomes for mentors such as impact of negativity, emotional toll, and time/energy demands., Conclusions: Peer mentorship programs delivered by community-based SCI organizations are important, impactful resources for individuals with SCI who engage in these programs. These results provide insights into the variety of positive and negative outcomes linked with these programs., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Spinal Cord Society.)

Study Design: Knowledge translation study., Objectives: Use the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to (1) identify barriers and facilitators to participation in daily activities and social roles among people aging with spinal cord injury (SCI); and, (2) systematically co-develop participation-focused intervention recommendations with SCI community organizations that can support people aging with SCI., Setting: Canadian SCI community., Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 people (minimum 45 years of age; minimum 10 years post injury). Participants were asked about their experiences with participating in daily activities and social roles while aging and preferences for what participation-focused interventions should entail. Transcripts were analyzed to address three stages of behaviour change intervention design: (1) identify barriers and facilitators; (2) identify intervention functions and policy categories; (3) identify implementation options. Findings were synthesized into intervention recommendations and assessed for feasibility., Results: Participation in daily activities and social roles was heavily influenced by three TDF domains: environmental context and resources, skills, and social influences. Six intervention functions and all policy categories within the BCW were considered viable intervention options. Multiple messengers and modes of delivery were identified as important. The synthesized recommendations included educating SCI organization membership, partnering with other disability organizations, and advocating to the provincial government., Conclusions: Findings suggest that multiple intervention formats delivered through a variety of implementation options are needed to enhance participation in daily activities and social roles while aging with SCI. Future efforts should focus on translating the recommendations into real-world behaviour change interventions.

Purpose/Objective: The purpose of the present study was to develop an understanding of successful aging (SA) meanings and influences that is informed by the lived experiences of people aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: This study was conducted in partnership with three Canadian provincial SCI organizations using an integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach. To ensure findings were meaningful and practical to the three SCI organizations, the study was grounded in pragmatic philosophical assumptions. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 people aging with long-term SCI (minimum 45 years of age; minimum 10-years postinjury). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to a reflexive thematic analysis. Results: SA was understood as an interconnected and multifaceted concept that prioritizes health, participation, and independence. Participants discussed how SA was influenced negatively by personal (aging-related complications, intrapersonal emotional distress) and environmental (lack of available resources, differing community priorities) barriers. Participants reported that SA was positively influenced when individuals acted as self-advocates, were prepared and aware of aging-related changes, and maintained strong relationships with others. Conclusions/Implications: This study presents an initial, SCI-specific understanding of meanings and influences on SA. Although there were similarities between our findings and previous SA models, pertinent differences were also identified. Findings highlight that supporting quality participation experiences for people aging with long-term SCI may be an important direction SCI organizations can take to support their membership. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: To address a gap between spinal cord injury (SCI) research and practice by rigorously and systematically co-developing integrated knowledge translation (IKT) guiding principles for conducting and disseminating SCI research in partnership with research users., Design: The process was guided by the internationally accepted The Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation (AGREE) II Instrument for evaluating the development of clinical practice guidelines., Setting: North American SCI research system (ie, SCI researchers, research users, funders)., Participants: The multidisciplinary expert panel (n=17) and end users (n=35) included individuals from a North American partnership of SCI researchers, research users, and funders who have expertise in research partnerships., Interventions: Not applicable., Main Outcome Measures: Clarity, usefulness, and appropriateness of the principles., Results: Data regarding 125 principles of partnered research were systematically collected from 4 sources (review of reviews, scoping review, interviews, Delphi consensus exercise). A multidisciplinary expert panel held a 2-day meeting to establish consensus, select guiding principles, and draft the guidance. The panel reached 100% consensus on the principles and guidance document. The final document includes a preamble, 8 guiding principles, and a glossary. Survey data showed that the principles and guidance document were perceived by potential end users as clear, useful, and appropriate., Conclusions: The IKT Guiding Principles represent the first rigorously co-developed, consensus-based guidance to support meaningful SCI research partnerships. The principles are a foundational tool with the potential to improve the relevance and impact of SCI research, mitigate tokenism, and advance the science of IKT., (Copyright © 2020 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article reported on the reach, effectiveness, and maintenance dimensions of a RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) analysis to evaluate Praxis 2016, a conference aimed to develop solutions to overcome challenges to translating research into practice in the spinal cord injury (SCI) community. Reach indicators were collected from the Praxis 2016 organizing committee. For effectiveness and maintenance, attendees (n = 106) completed a questionnaire pre-, post-, and 9-month post-Praxis 2016 assessing (a) capability (e.g., knowledge), (b) motivation, (c) opportunities, and (d) the groups they currently, need to, and/or plan to work with to develop solutions to overcome the challenges of translating SCI research into practice. They also reported their satisfaction with Praxis 2016. Qualitative interviews with attendees and organizers post-Praxis 2016 were conducted. Praxis 2016 reached 28% of their intended audience. For effectiveness, attendees' knowledge significantly increased (t(59)= 3.83, p < .001), they reported a greater need to work with members within the SCI community from pre- to post-Praxis 2016, and were generally satisfied with Praxis 2016. Regarding maintenance, more attendees reported needing to work with researchers, clinicians and SCI community organizations at 9-month post-Praxis 2016. The interviewees reported increased knowledge and capacity to network with the SCI community, but highlighted concerns for the long-term impact of Praxis 2016. Praxis 2016 was an effective approach to create short-term change in knowledge, and to expand knowledge translation networks. Further efforts could build on Praxis 2016 to foster long-term success in overcoming the challenges in translating SCI research into practice., (© Society of Behavioral Medicine 2019. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Rationale: Research has extensively examined the adverse outcomes of being family support provider also known as a family caregiver, of someone with spinal cord injury (SCI) such as psychological distress, poor health, and burden. Despite clear evidence of the negative impact of this social role, few interventions exist aiming to support family support providers of people with SCI., Objective: This scoping review aimed to guide future intervention development by identifying the components necessary to develop an intervention to support SCI family support providers using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW)., Methods: Electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Embase) were searched in May 2017. Articles relating to outcomes and/or behaviours of support providers of people with SCI were identified. Intervention components of the BCW, including behaviours, factors influencing behaviours, intervention content, and evaluation methods, were extracted from included articles., Results: Of the 59 included articles, most emphasized the outcomes of being a support provider but provided little evidence of behaviours, which may influence such outcomes. The most commonly identified behaviours included engaging in leisure time or daily activities, problem-solving, and providing support. Very few measures were used to measure engagement in behaviours objectively. The literature suggests that behaviours are often influenced by family support providers' physical and social environments. However, barriers may vary between behaviours and contexts., Conclusion: The results of this review show that there are many viable behavioural targets for intervention. Therefore, intervention efforts may need to be tailored to individuals' needs. A promising intervention approach may be to use a theory which promotes change in the ecological context of family support providers while encouraging behavioural strategies to overcome individual barriers. Future research should further examine the factors that influence specific behaviours to more comprehensively understand the context of the behaviour as well as effective intervention strategies to promote change., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Objective: To identify characteristics (1) of high- and low-quality spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentors; (2) that should be used to match SCI peer mentors and mentees., Design: The study was conducted in partnership with three Canadian provincial SCI organizations using an integrated knowledge translation approach. The Delphi exercise was completed in three rounds. In Round 1, people with SCI completed a thought-listing exercise to identify characteristics of high- and low-quality peer mentors and for matching. In Rounds 2 and 3, people with SCI and community organization staff rated characteristics from the previous round on an 11-point scale. After the final round, the remaining characteristics were thematically analyzed., Setting: Community-based peer mentorship programs in three Canadian provinces., Participants: People with SCI and SCI community organization staff (Round 1, n=45; Round 2, n=27; Round 3, n=25)., Interventions: Not applicable., Main Outcome Measures: Consensus-based list of characteristics., Results: Participants reached consensus on 215 characteristics of quality peer mentors and 11 characteristics for peer mentor-mentee matching (ICC=0.96). A consensus-based characterization of high- and low-quality peer mentorship was created and included six overarching themes: competencies, personality characteristics, emotional state, mentor outlook, reason for mentoring, and role model., Conclusion: A consensus-based characterization of quality peer mentorship was co-developed with input from over 50 members of the SCI community. Findings highlight that peers have both interpersonal and intrapersonal characteristics that contribute to quality mentorship. The findings highlighted the importance of matching mentors on lived experience and shared interests. Findings will inform future research and SCI peer mentorship programs., (Copyright © 2019 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In April 2016, the Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) hosted an innovative, 2-day conference called Praxis 2016. RHI aimed to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to develop solutions for overcoming the challenges of translating spinal cord injury (SCI) research into practice. To understand the impact of Praxis, RHI funded an independent team to evaluate Praxis at the individual and setting level using the RE-AIM framework. Individual-level findings are published elsewhere. The aim of this evaluation is to report on the impact of Praxis at the setting level in terms of its adoption, implementation and maintenance., Methods: Data sources included interviews with attendees (n = 13) and organisers (n = 9), a fidelity assessment conducted at the conference, and observation notes provided by the evaluation team., Results: Main findings indicated that the Praxis model was adopted by organisers and attendees, implemented by RHI as intended, and has the potential for long-term maintenance. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of including SCI community members throughout the entire process from development to post-conference activities as well as in the research process, the value of facilitation and fostering interactive problem solving, and the need to identify leadership and funds to foster long-term efforts., Conclusions: Developing and implementing a solutions-focused conference that brings together a diverse group of SCI stakeholders was challenging and rewarding for attendees and organisers. Other domains could learn from, adopt and build on the Praxis 2016 approach to address research-to-practice gaps.

Objective: The present study tested the feasibility of training peers with spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn brief action planning (BAP), an application of motivational interviewing principles, to promote physical activity to mentees with SCI., Method: Thirteen peers with SCI attended a half-day BAP workshop. Using a one-arm, pre-, post-test design, feasibility to learn BAP was assessed in terms of peers' (1) BAP and motivational interviewing spirit competence; (2) training satisfaction; and (3) motivations to use BAP as assessed by measures of the theory of planned behavior constructs. Measures were taken at baseline, immediately post-training, and 1 month follow up., Results: Following the training, participants' BAP and motivational interviewing competence significantly increased (P's < 0.05, d's > 2.27). Training satisfaction was very positive with all means falling above the scale midpoint. Participants' perceived behavioral control to use BAP increased from baseline to post (P < 0.05, d = 0.91) but was not maintained at follow up (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Training peers with a SCI to learn to use BAP is feasible., Practical Implications: BAP is a tool that can be feasibly learned by peers to promote physical activity to their mentees.

Unlabelled: Community-based organizations (CBOs) and support personnel that serve marginalized members of society have the potential to be important partners in knowledge mobilization (KM). A CBO in partnership with researchers developed an event-based KM initiative to disseminate evidence-based physical activity guidelines for people with spinal cord injury., Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate a) how a CBO can implement a KM initiative and b) the effectiveness of the initiative for disseminating the guidelines to support personnel., Method: The KM initiative consisted of 12 events about the new guidelines held within the CBO's regional areas. Evaluation of the events was guided by the RE-AIM (reach, efficacy or effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework., Results: Adoption of the events was high, with 88% of regions hosting an event. Overall fidelity to the event protocol was high among researchers (100.00% ± .00), peers (65% ± 33.74), and staff (70.00% ± 34.96). The events reached 140 support personnel who attended the events. Significant increases in support personnel's self-efficacy and intentions to promote physical activity to people with spinal cord injury were seen at Time 2 but not maintained at Time 3., Conclusions: Event-based KM initiatives may be an effective strategy for CBOs to disseminate information to support personnel and ensure that KM initiatives are supported by staff and delivered as intended., (© 2014 Society for Public Health Education.)

Background: Ensuring the physical activity (PA) guidelines for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) are effectively disseminated is important for promoting PA. Few studies have investigated knowledge mobilization (KM) initiatives that aim to disseminate PA guidelines. Diffusion research suggests that using interpersonal communication channels may increase the adoption of guidelines., Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the reach and effectiveness of an event-based KM initiative that used interpersonal communication to disseminate the guidelines to people with SCI. The KM initiative consisted of 12 separate events attended by a total of 104 people with SCI (age = 53 ± 18.9 years; 31% female)., Methods: Questionnaires assessing attendees' adoption of the guidelines in accordance with Rogers' innovation-decision process were completed before (Time 1), directly after (Time 2) and 1 month following an event (Time 3)., Results: Findings indicate that in total the events reached 5% of SCI Ontario clients. RM-ANOVAs and Related-Samples McNemar Tests indicated that initial adoption of the guidelines was high but in general was not maintained. Specifically, at Time 2, attendees' knowledge of the guidelines, attitudes toward the guidelines, self-efficacy and intentions to meet the guidelines increased from Time 1 (ps < 0.05). At Time 3, the majority of these initial increases were not maintained and change in PA behavior was not observed. However, 67% of attendees tried the recommended exercises., Conclusions: An event-based KM initiative may be effective for initial dissemination of PA guidelines. Efforts are needed to foster long-term guideline adoption., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) research and policy decisions are rarely made in partnership with people with SCI, making them less relevant, applicable, and used by those whom the decisions are intended to support. Across disciplines, consensus methods have been promoted as a viable solution for supporting shared research and policy-based decision-making. In this paper, we describe a partnered approach between academic researchers and the Ontario SCI Alliance, a non-profit, SCI community mobilization network to co-develop and co-disseminate a community-based consensus exercise. The community-based consensus exercise included two modified Delphi surveys and one in-person retreat. The partnership's goal with this exercise was to facilitate shared decision-making for the development of their upcoming strategic plan. We then interviewed partners and participants from the Delphi and in-person retreat to discuss successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the exercise. Survey 1 was disseminated to over 2,500 members of the Ontario SCI community and received 374 responses (276 coming from people with SCI). Survey 2 had 118 responses, with 87 coming from people with SCI. The retreat had 73 attendees, including people with SCI, family/friends of people with SCI, clinicians, researchers, and SCI community and research organization staff/volunteers. The retreat included a presentation of the survey results, a clinician/researcher panel, and externally-facilitated working groups. All survey responses and retreat materials were synthesized. Using the synthesized feedback, the Ontario SCI Alliance was able to implement several changes for the Ontario SCI community, including higher-quality primary care experiences (reduced wait times, more accessible examining rooms), the development of a wound care strategy with the Ontario government, and an advocacy campaign for public coverage for catheters and urinary care supplies. From the five interviews conducted, five themes were co-constructed regarding the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the exercise: (1) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility; (2) Partnership; (3) Design Considerations; (4) Transparency and Clarity in Communication; and (5) Sustainability. Findings from this community case study demonstrate the feasibility of conducting a community-level consensus exercise among an equity-deserving group while providing detailed guidance for how to ensure future research and policy-based decision-making is shared across diverse knowledge users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Integrated knowledge translation (IKT) is a partnered approach to research that aims to ensure research findings are applied in practice and policy. IKT can be used during diffusion and dissemination of research findings. However, there is a lack of understanding how an IKT approach can support the diffusion and dissemination of research findings. In this study, we documented and described the processes and outcomes of an IKT approach to diffusing and disseminating the findings of consensus recommendations for conducting spinal cord injury research. Methods: Communication of the IKT Guiding Principles in two phases: a diffusion phase during the first 102 days from the manuscript's publication, followed by a 1147 day active dissemination phase. A record of all inputs was kept and all activities were tracked by monitoring partnership communication, a partnership tracking survey, a project curriculum vitae, and team emails. Awareness outcomes were tracked through Google Analytics and a citation-forward search. Awareness includes the website accesses, the number of downloads, and the number of citations in the 29 month period following publication. Results: In the diffusion period, the recommendations were viewed 60 times from 4 different countries, and 4 new downloads. In the dissemination period, the recommendations were viewed 1109 times from 39 different countries, 386 new downloads, and 54 citations. Overall, during dissemination there was a 17.5% increase in new visitors to the website a month and a 95.5% increase in downloads compared to diffusion. Conclusion: This project provides an overview of an IKT approach to diffusion and dissemination. Overall, IKT may be helpful for increasing awareness of research findings faster; however, more research is needed to understand best practices and the the impact of an IKT approach on the diffusion and dissemination versus a non-partnered approach. Plain English summary: Often, research findings do not get to the people, groups, and/or institutions who could benefit from the findings. Two ways to help move research into practice more efficiently are to: (1) work in partnership with people who may benefit most from the research findings, and (2) share and communicate the findings of research beyond scientists. However, little is known about how to work in partnership while sharing the results of a research study. Therefore, this project demonstrates how a research partnership can work while promoting the results of their research project. Overall, working in partnership while sharing research findings may further help to ensure the research results are shared with those who could benefit from those findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) counselling research has mainly focused on identifying which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are delivered by a counsellor. Less is known about how BCTs are received by clients. State Space Grids (SSGs) is a dynamic system method that can be used to study counsellor-client interactions by examining frequencies, durations and sequences of BCT delivery and receipt. In this methods paper, we show how SSG methods can be pragmatically used to characterize counsellor-client interactions during a PA behavioural support intervention for adults with disabilities. Methods were demonstrated through a secondary analysis of data from adults with spinal cord injury (age: 45.79 ± 13.63; females: n = 5; males: n = 9) who received PA counselling. Transcripts of 30 audio-recorded counselling sessions (total duration: ∼8.3 h) were double-coded for BCT delivery and receipt statements using a reliable coding method (>84% agreement) and analyzed in two different ways using SSGs methods. Applying the SSG analyses to our data demonstrated that frequencies, durations, and sequences of BCT delivery and receipt varied largely within and between dyads. Across all sessions, the counsellor and client spent on average 32–34% of their time on talking about BCTs related to goals and planning, ∼29% of their time talking about other BCTs (e.g., self-belief, support strategies), and the remaining 27–29% of their time talking about other topics (not BCT-specific). This paper showed how dynamic system methods can be pragmatically used to characterize counsellor-client interactions and illustrate the variability of how BCTs are delivered by a counsellor and received by clients in a PA behavioural support intervention. We demonstrated that SSGs methods can facilitate the examination of frequencies, durations and sequences of BCT delivery and receipt can help advance our understanding of PA behavioural support for adults with and without disabilities. • First using State Space Grids in exercise counselling in clients with disabilities. • Demonstration of how behaviour change techniques are delivered and received. • Show how State Space Grids may advance science and practice of exercise counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]