1038 - Assessing Interest in Virtual Adaptive Sports Programs among Patients with Physical Impairments in an Underserved Region

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate interest levels among patients with physical impairments regarding virtual adaptive sports in an underserved Bronx region.

Design: Phone surveys were conducted in 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic among patients with physical impairments. Anonymity was ensured by recording only age and gender in questionnaires, while participant responses included impairment types per International Paralympic Committee (excluding intellectual disability) and perceived barriers. Participants could identify multiple impairment types. Interest in virtual adaptive sports programs was gauged using a 5-level interest score (IS), from 1 (no interest) to 5 (strong interest).

Results: Sixty-one patients completed surveys (average IS 2.89; males trended higher than females: 3.30 vs. 2.48, p=0.067). Among 7 impairment types with counts exceeding 5 ( >10% of total sample), the IS (along with sample size within each group, and difference compared to patients without that specific impairment): limb deficiency 3.27 (N=26;+0.67), hypertonia 3.12 (N=16;+0.32), impaired passive range of motion 3.10 (N=19;+0.32), impaired muscle power 2.96 (N=28;+0.15), ataxia 2.83 (N=6;-0.06), leg length difference 2.50 (N=6;-0.43), and vision impairment 1.67 (N=6;-1.35). The IS among top 8 barriers: social stigma 3.29 (N=7;+0.45), lack of event information 2.96 (N=23;+0.12), inconvenient timing 2.87 (N=23;-0.02), cost 2.86 (N=14;-0.04), time constraints 2.68 (N=19;-0.29), transportation issues 2.71 (N=31;-0.36), fear of injury 2.61 (N=18;-0.40), and lack of equipment 2.30 (N=10;-0.70). Given the nature of a pilot project with a limited sample size, interpreting results using p-values would be challenging. Nevertheless, vision impairment is significantly associated with lower IS (p=0.04).

Conclusions: Virtual adaptive sports programs hold promise as an alternative approach for patients with physical impairments, particularly those with impairment types that may subject them to perceived social stigma. Nonetheless, specific challenges exist, as with vision impairment, affecting engagement in virtual sessions. Further research is warranted to thoroughly explore this realm, enhancing accessible social wellness for individuals with disabilities.