Effect of Spinal Cord Injury on Quality of Life of Affected Soldiers in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Asian Spine Journal, 2016 · DOI: 10.4184/asj.2016.10.2.267 · Published: April 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is possibly the most disruptive and traumatic event that can occur in anyone’s life. SCI poses huge challenges in the form of coping process as well as rehabilitation. The main goal of all rehabilitation programmes is to enable the SCI affected individual to enhance their quality of life (QoL). QoL is defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as the “person’s perception of his/her position in life within the context of the culture and value systems in which he/she lives and in relation to his/her goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. This study was conducted to measure the QoL in SCI affected soldiers and veterans who sustained SCI during active service using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.

Study Duration

August 2014 to December 2014

Participants

100 soldiers and veterans affected by spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Age and marital status did not have any influence on QoL.
2
Level of injury (paraplegic or quadriplegic), level of education and presence of other medical co-morbidities had the most significant influence on QoL.
3
Presence of other medical co-morbidities had a negative influence on QoL.

Research Summary

This study measured the QoL in Indian soldiers affected by SCI using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which is a patient-measured and validated method in terms of reliability and reproducibility. QoL of SCI affected soldiers and veterans were positively affected by higher levels of education and lower level of SCI. Presence of other medical co-morbidities negatively influenced QoL.

Practical Implications

Policy Changes

The study suggests that identifying factors influencing QoL can help formulate policies to positively influence QoL following SCI in soldiers.

Rehabilitation Optimization

Findings enable optimization of rehabilitation and support services required for optimal functional recovery as well as prevention of secondary complications.

Additional Support

The study highlights the need to provide additional support and increased access to equipment or lifestyle interventions for soldiers and veterans with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The nature of the study sample population (soldiers and veterans) is unique and the findings may not be applicable to the general population.
2
No data was collected regarding prevalence/incidence of secondary complications like urinary tract infections and pressure sores and their influence on QoL.
3
This was a cross-sectional study and further longitudinal studies with larger sample size are required to assess the QoL across the lifespan in terms of age as well as time from injury.

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