A Scoping Review on the Influence of Housing on the Health and Well-Being of People with a Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction

Healthcare, 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12242537 · Published: December 16, 2024

Simple Explanation

This study looks at the available research on housing for people with spinal cord injuries. It seeks to understand what aspects of housing are important for their health and well-being. The review found that there isn't much research specifically focused on housing for this group. The main issues identified were the lack of accessible housing and the challenges people face in finding suitable homes. The findings suggest more research is needed to create better housing options and policies that support individuals with spinal cord injuries, helping them live more independently and with a better quality of life.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

36 studies included, focused on individuals with Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction (SCI/D)

Evidence Level

Scoping Review

Key Findings

1
Inaccessible housing leads to lower autonomy, especially for those with more severe injuries, poorer quality of life, and reduced community participation.
2
Home modifications, such as ramps and modified bathrooms, can improve autonomy, but financial constraints and lengthy installation processes pose significant barriers.
3
There is a need for more affordable and efficient solutions for home modifications, as well as policies and interventions to enhance community integration and quality of life for individuals with SCI/D.

Research Summary

This scoping review examined the current state of evidence for housing across the continuum for individuals with an SCI/D and has provided several critical insights and identified notable gaps in the research pertaining to this topic. Overall, research on housing for the SCI/D population is relatively understudied, with only 36 studies identified in this review. This review highlights a critical need for further research to better inform housing practices and policies for individuals with an SCI/D and suggests that there appears to be gaps in studies outside of Canada, the USA, and the UK.

Practical Implications

Policy Development

Inform the creation of policies that promote accessible and affordable housing options for individuals with SCI/D.

Further Research

Highlight the areas where more research is needed to better understand the housing needs of individuals with SCI/D.

Practical Interventions

Support the development of interventions that can enhance community integration, autonomy, and overall quality of life for individuals with SCI/D.

Study Limitations

1
The review was limited to articles published only in English, potentially excluding relevant studies in other languages.
2
The gray literature may vary in rigor and is not subject to the peer review process, which could introduce potential biases to the SCI/D literature.
3
The omission of the consultation exercise may have resulted in the exclusion of critical perspectives, potentially leading to incomplete or less relevant findings.

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