The myMoves Program: development of a remote self-management program to increase physical activity after acquired brain injury

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a significant cause of disability globally, with common causes being stroke and trauma. Individuals living with ABI often display high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour, which increases their risk of morbidity and mortality. However, many adults with ABI experience barriers to participation in effective physical activity interventions. Remotely delivered self-management programs focussed on teaching individuals how to improve and maintain their physical activity levels have the potential to improve the overall health of adults with ABI. The development of a complex and multifaceted health intervention, such as self-management program to increase physical activity, requires a scholarly and systematic approach to the development process, underpinned with a sound theoretical basis. The work presented in this Thesis demonstrates this rigorous development process, using an Intervention Mapping framework, to develop an innovative remotely delivered self-management program focussed specifically on assisting individuals living in the Australian community to increase their physical activity. The development process commenced with a comprehensive needs assessment; including a systematic review of the literature on the efficacy of self-management programs to increase physical activity after ABI (Study I), and a survey of potential participants regarding barriers to physical activity and interest in a program of this nature (Study II). The detailed developmental process is outlined (Study III), and resulted in a comprehensive self-management program, the myMoves Program. Initial testing of this program has been conducted (Study IV) demonstrating that it is both feasible to deliver, and highly acceptable to participants. Testing also informed an iterative review of the program (Study V) to conclude the developmental process and inform future testing of efficacy. In essence, the work presented in this Thesis has demonstrated the successful development of a remotely delivered self-management program focused at increasing physical activity for individuals living in the community with ABI.