Associations Between Health Behaviour, Secondary Health Conditions and Quality of Life in People with Spinal Cord Injury

Overview

Journal Afr J Disabil

Date 2019 Jul 17

PMID 31309047

Citations 17

Authors

Mokgadi K Mashola

Diphale J Mothabeng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The development of secondary health conditions (SHCs) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is common and can affect an individual's emotional well-being, and his or her health-related quality of life (QOL). Little is known about relationships between performing health-benefiting behaviours and the presence (or absence) of SHCs and QOL, particularly in South Africa.

Objectives: This research study was conducted in order to determine the associations between health behaviour, SHCs and QOL in people with SCI (PWSCI).

Method: This cross-sectional study included 36 PWSCI discharged from a private rehabilitation facility in Pretoria, South Africa. The PWSCI completed questionnaires pertaining to lifestyle, independence, presence of SHCs, social support and QOL. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as correlation tests and chi-square test of independence ( ) using the SPSS v25. Moderate, moderately high and high correlations are reported (Pearson ≥ 0.4). Results were significant if < 0.05.

Results: Participation in health-benefiting behaviour was associated with increased QOL ( = 0.457, < 0.01) and increased social support from family and friends ( = 0.425, < 0.01), which was associated with increased QOL ( = 0.671, < 0.001). Not participating in specific neuromusculoskeletal health behaviours was found to be associated with the overall presence of SHCs ( = -0.426, < 0.01).

Conclusions: Participating in health-benefiting behaviour can reduce the development of SHCs and subsequently increase QOL in PWSCI. Health professionals must focus on minimising the development of SHCs by providing specific education on good health-benefiting behaviour.

Citing Articles

The influence of pain on community reintegration after spinal cord injury.

Henderson V, Mashola M Pain Pract. 2024; 25(1):e13439.

PMID: 39560190 PMC: 11683518. DOI: 10.1111/papr.13439.

Evidence based clinical practice guideline for follow-up care in persons with spinal cord injury.

Eriks-Hoogland I, Muller L, Baumberger M, Huber B, Michel F, Belfrage C Front Rehabil Sci. 2024; 5:1371556.

PMID: 39314837 PMC: 11417090. DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1371556.

Exploring the Experience of Living with Pain after Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study.

Mashola M, Korkie E, Mothabeng D Behav Neurol. 2024; 2024:9081530.

PMID: 38343899 PMC: 10857878. DOI: 10.1155/2024/9081530.

Pain medication misuse in the South African spinal cord injury context.

Mashola M, Korkie E, Mothabeng D Health SA. 2024; 29:2377.

PMID: 38322368 PMC: 10839206. DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2377.

Effects of Adaptations in an Interdisciplinary Follow-Up Clinic for People with Spinal Cord Injury in the Chronic Phase: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Tijsse Klasen J, van Diemen T, Langerak N, van Nes I J Clin Med. 2023; 12(24).

PMID: 38137640 PMC: 10744320. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247572.

References

Curtis K, Tyner T, Zachary L, Lentell G, BRINK D, Didyk T . Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long-term wheelchair users. Spinal Cord. 1999; 37(6):421-9. DOI: 10.1038/sj.sc.3100860. View

Middleton J, Lim K, Taylor L, Soden R, Rutkowski S . Patterns of morbidity and rehospitalisation following spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2004; 42(6):359-67. DOI: 10.1038/sj.sc.3101601. View

Bloemen-Vrencken J, de Witte L, Post M, van den Heuvel W . Health behaviour of persons with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2006; 45(3):243-9. DOI: 10.1038/sj.sc.3101967. View

Catz A, Itzkovich M . Spinal Cord Independence Measure: comprehensive ability rating scale for the spinal cord lesion patient. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2007; 44(1):65-8. DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2005.07.0123. View

Kalpakjian C, Scelza W, Forchheimer M, Toussaint L . Preliminary reliability and validity of a Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale. J Spinal Cord Med. 2007; 30(2):131-9. PMC: 2031942. DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2007.11753924. View

Martin Ginis K, Latimer A, Buchholz A, Bray S, Craven B, Hayes K . Establishing evidence-based physical activity guidelines: methods for the Study of Health and Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury (SHAPE SCI). Spinal Cord. 2007; 46(3):216-21. DOI: 10.1038/sj.sc.3102103. View

Barker R, Kendall M, Amsters D, Pershouse K, Haines T, Kuipers P . The relationship between quality of life and disability across the lifespan for people with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2008; 47(2):149-55. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2008.82. View

Stevens S, Caputo J, Fuller D, Morgan D . Physical activity and quality of life in adults with spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med. 2008; 31(4):373-8. PMC: 2582427. DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2008.11760739. View

Siddall P . Management of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: now and in the future. Spinal Cord. 2008; 47(5):352-9. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2008.136. View

10.

Morrow M, Hurd W, Kaufman K, An K . Shoulder demands in manual wheelchair users across a spectrum of activities. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2009; 20(1):61-7. PMC: 2794990. DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2009.02.001. View

11.

Cardenas D, Felix E . Pain after spinal cord injury: a review of classification, treatment approaches, and treatment assessment. PM R. 2009; 1(12):1077-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2009.07.002. View

12.

Liu C, Attar K, Gall A, Shah J, Craggs M . The relationship between bladder management and health-related quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury in the UK. Spinal Cord. 2009; 48(4):319-24. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2009.132. View

13.

Arbour-Nicitopoulos K, Martin Ginis K, Latimer A . Planning, leisure-time physical activity, and coping self-efficacy in persons with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 90(12):2003-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.06.019. View

14.

Hill M, Noonan V, Sakakibara B, Miller W . Quality of life instruments and definitions in individuals with spinal cord injury: a systematic review. Spinal Cord. 2009; 48(6):438-50. PMC: 3176301. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2009.164. View

15.

Leeuwen C, Post M, van Asbeck F, van der Woude L, Groot S, Lindeman E . Social support and life satisfaction in spinal cord injury during and up to one year after inpatient rehabilitation. J Rehabil Med. 2010; 42(3):265-71. DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0502. View

16.

Martin Ginis K, Arbour-Nicitopoulos K, Latimer A, Buchholz A, Bray S, Craven B . Leisure time physical activity in a population-based sample of people with spinal cord injury part II: activity types, intensities, and durations. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010; 91(5):729-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.12.028. View

17.

Aidinoff E, Front L, Itzkovich M, Bluvshtein V, Gelernter I, Hart J . Expected spinal cord independence measure, third version, scores for various neurological levels after complete spinal cord lesions. Spinal Cord. 2011; 49(8):893-6. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.32. View

18.

Muller R, Peter C, Cieza A, Geyh S . The role of social support and social skills in people with spinal cord injury--a systematic review of the literature. Spinal Cord. 2011; 50(2):94-106. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.116. View

19.

Galea M . Spinal cord injury and physical activity: preservation of the body. Spinal Cord. 2011; 50(5):344-51. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.149. View

20.

Martin Ginis K, Phang S, Latimer A, Arbour-Nicitopoulos K . Reliability and validity tests of the leisure time physical activity questionnaire for people with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012; 93(4):677-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.11.005. View