SCI-Lynx: A Mobile Platform for Physical Activity Social Support for People With SCI Pilot Study

NCT05764135 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2019A010729
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 33
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Physical activity is important to maintain health, fitness, and function in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and social support is one of the most effective ways to increase physical activity participation. However, a large proportion of people with SCI are physically inactive and do not engage in recreational activities due to environmental and physical challenges. Many people with SCI also experience challenges with social connection, which may make engaging in physical activities more difficult. The investigators are offering a new online application designed specifically for people with SCI. The purpose of the research is to develop and evaluate a new online app, called SCI-Lynx, that would allow people with SCI to connect with other people and support each other in their physical activity, exercise, or other health or personal goals over a one-month period. This research will also evaluate how SCI-Lynx affects self-efficacy and social support for exercise and provide new information on changing physical activity participation and social connection in people with SCI.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Keywords

Spinal Cord Injury; Exercise; Physical Activity; Digital Health; Smartphone Application

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Acceptability and Usability

  A standardized Usability Questionnaire that has been used in previous trials of other technologies by this team will be used. It consists of a series of questions that evaluate the participant's self-reported experiences with the SCI-Lynx on a number of characteristics, including ease of use and overall satisfaction. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale. In addition, semi-structured interview questions will probe all participant's experiences with SCI-Lynx.

  Follow-up assessments (1 month after randomization)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• National Institutes of Health and Northwestern University Toolbox Item Bank version 2.0- Loneliness (Aged 18+)- Fixed Form

  Baseline and the follow-up assessments (1 month after randomization)

• Spinal Cord Injury Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale

  Baseline and then follow-up assessments (1 month after randomization)

• Physical Activity

  Baseline and then follow-up assessments (1 month after randomization)

• Modified Sallis Social Support for Exercise Survey

  Baseline and then follow-up assessments (1 month after randomization)

• Adherence

  Follow-up assessments (1 month after randomization)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

25 individuals will be randomized into the intervention group and download SCI-Lynx Mobile Application.

Behavioral: SCI-Lynx Mobile Application

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

25 individuals will be randomized into the control group or usual care. They will then have an opportunity at the end of the 1-month to download the SCI-Lynx Mobile Application.

Interventions

SCI-Lynx Mobile Application BEHAVIORAL

. The SCI-Lynx application will enable people to find others with the same chronic condition who have similar exercise interests and goals. Individuals can make social connections, set, and track their exercise goals and support one another in their physical activities. It provides content customized for each condition to encourage participant's belief in the benefits of exercise and improve their self-efficacy for exercise through tracking of their own progress. An additional feature of SCI-Lynx is the ability to direct messages to other individuals or create subgroups within their network providing a further social support for individuals with SCI.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) at least 1-year post-injury;
• Use a wheelchair (including wheelchairs that are manual, electric or electric scooter) as their primary mobility mode;
• Greater than 18 years of age; and
• Able to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Not fluent in conversational English;
• Any health condition that would suggest inability to complete requirements of this study; and
• Does not have access to computer, tablet, or other device that does not have capability for Zoom video calls or downloading the SCI-Lynx mobile application.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Brigham and Women's Hospital: lead
• The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries; Behavior

Study Officials

• Thomas Storer, PhD

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: There will be a total of 50 participants enrolled in the study, 25 will be randomized into the intervention group (SCI-Lynx App) and 25 into the control group (usual care).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 28, 2023
• First Posted: March 10, 2023
• Study Start: June 14, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2024
• Study Completion: December 1, 2024
• Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)