CRISIS-SCI Study Summary

The main purpose of the CRISIS-SCI study was to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), particularly on their access to health services and secondary complications.

Thirty-four people with SCI completed an online survey advertised through the Spinal Life Peer Support Facebook Group – an online member only group for people living with SCI.

Infographic with 3 pie charts: the first describing the Level of Injury, the second detailing the Cause of Injury and the third describing the Living Arrangement breakdown.

Main Findings 

People reported that the pandemic had physical and psychosocial impacts mainly due to home isolation and disrupted access to usual health and community services.

Click here to read the report summary

Physical Impacts

  • Less physical activity because of disrupted access to health and community services, therapy, and having to stay at home
  • Secondary complications included muscle stiffness/tightening/spasticity, reduced mobility/flexibility, reduced strength, swelling, pressure sores, weight gain, and general worsening of health and daily function

 

Psychosocial Impacts

  • People felt isolated both physically and socially which negatively impacted on their mental health (for example, increases in anxiety, worry, stress, depression, fear, PTSD, boredom, frustration, and a lack of concentration)
  • Some experienced financial hardship with loss of employment; and worsening family relationships

 

Access to health/community services and equipment

  • Less access to usual healthcare and community services
  • There was some service access online or via telehealth, but people had difficulties with technology
  • Difficulty accessing in-home supports and necessary equipment/consumables

 

Solutions identified by participants

  • Increased use of technology (e.g., telehealth and online shopping)
  • Exercising at home
  • Finding new in-home supports
  • Starting new routines at home and work

 

Click here to read the report summary

 

"Impacts of COVID-19 on People with SCI" Infographic

 

Findings from the Complex Rehabilitation in Systems under Immense Stress (CRISIS): Secondary complications and access to services during system disruption for people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) – the CRISIS-SCI Study.
This work was supported by a 2021 RACP MAIC Career Development Fellowship Award

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