Presentation Abstract

Physical Activity and Cognition in Spinal Cord Injury: Research Gaps and Opportunities

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are at risk for cognitive impairment and having a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentariness is a modifiable risk factor that can contribute to cognitive impairment. Increasing exercise/physical activity may be a promising approach to preventing cognition decline and treating cognitive impairment. However, relatively few people with MS or SCI are willing or able to access clinic-based exercise programs. Telehealth approaches informed by evidence-based behavior change techniques have potential for increasing the reach of exercise/physical activity interventions and mitigating the adverse effects of sedentariness in these and other populations. 

About Dr. Bombardier

Charles Bombardier is a clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He has worked as a clinician-scientist within rehabilitation for the past 30 years. Dr. Bombardier has devoted his career to improving health and quality of life in people with disabilities, including individuals with SCI, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or MS. A number of his studies have focused on promotion of exercise and physical activity to improve depression and cognition in people with disabilities. 

Dr. Bombardier disclosed the following conflict of interest for this workshop: He is a paid motivational interviewing trainer.