1000 Section - Adaptive Sports Introduction during Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Descriptive Study

Objectives : Adaptive sports (AdS) are sports which have been modified to accommodate disabilities. Physical, functional, and psychosocial benefits have been attributed to participation in AdS. Persons with newly acquired disability may be admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation service but little is known about the role of introduction of AdS in this setting.  The primary objectives are to answer the questions:
Do rehabilitation inpatients with new disability want to be exposed to AdS? Do patient factors (age, sex, prior sports exposure, ambulatory status) correlate with interest in exposure to AdS?

Design:
This descriptive study surveyed 100 inpatients on their exposure to AdS during the admission. All patients aged 18 or older, admitted to the rehabilitation centre for new disability, who were able to complete a paper survey independently or with assistance were considered for inclusion.

Results: The most common diagnoses of participants was stroke (n=33), SCI (n=31), and amputation (n=21). The average age of respondents was 63 years and 36% were female. 43% wanted exposure to AdS during inpatient rehabilitation and 35% wanted access to recreation therapy after discharge. Factors that correlated positively with desire for AdS exposure included younger age (p< 0.01), pre-admission sports participation (p< 0.05), and exposure to AdS during rehabilitation (p< 0.01), but not sex or type of mobility aids required at discharge. Participants reported a variety of preferred methods of exposure including to a range of types of sports and from a range of team members. The preferred time for this exposure was early in the admission.

Conclusion: Many people with new disability are interested in AdS exposure in their acute rehabilitation stage. There is a range of preferred methods, but having multiple team members who are supported in initiating these exposures may enhance its effectiveness.  Having outpatient access to recreation therapy may further support AdS participation.