Shivarni Govind
Research Mentor: Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Mentor Department: Wayne State University, NonUM
Author(s): Shivarni Govind, Nikhil Parekh
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 8
Abstract
Integrative Medicine is a system of medicine that emphasizes a holistic approach to health by combining conventional medical care with complementary practices that support physical, mental, and social well-being, including movement-based interventions such as adaptive fitness. Adaptive fitness programs are designed to promote physical activity among individuals with varying abilities and may be incorporated into broader integrative health approaches. Although these programs have demonstrated value for improving mobility, strength, and overall quality of life, their utilization may depend more on perceived accessibility and community-level barriers than on individual attitudes toward effectiveness. This study aimed to identify which barriers community members prioritize when evaluating access to adaptive fitness programs and to assess whether perceived access differs based on financial status and living situation on or off campus. A cross-sectional survey addressing multiple areas related to Integrative Medicine was developed by a team of student researchers at the University of Michigan. The survey was created using Qualtrics, pilot tested with a small population for feedback, and revised for clarity prior to distribution. Participants rated the perceived importance of potential barriers—including cost, distance, physician recommendation, and perceived effectiveness—using Likert-scale measures. Demographic variables included financial status and living situation. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparing mean Likert scores across barriers revealed a statistically significant difference in perceived importance (p = 1.23 × 10?5). Post hoc Tukey testing indicated that financial constraints were significantly different from all other barriers (p < 0.05 for each comparison). The mean Likert score for financial constraints (3.052) was lower than the means of the other variables, indicating that participants perceived financial barriers as significantly less important than the other barriers assessed. No statistically significant differences were observed among the remaining barriers or across financial status or living situation groups. These findings may reflect limitations of the sample, including a small sample size and a participant pool consisting primarily of college students. Future research will include a follow-up survey specifically assessing adaptive fitness access among individuals with physical disabilities and may incorporate qualitative methods to better understand community-level barriers to participation. Additionally, a dedicated social media account will be developed as an educational tool to promote awareness and understanding of adaptive fitness and its benefits.
