Need and use of assistive devices for personal mobility by individuals with spinal cord injury

This study examines the use of mobility devices among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland. It looks at which devices are provided, how often they are used, and whether there are unmet needs for devices that people require but do not have access to. The research found that the types of devices people have or use depend largely on their age and the severity of their SCI. While many have access to basic devices, there's still a significant unmet need for certain supplementary devices. The study highlights the importance of understanding these needs to improve mobility and quality of life for individuals with SCI, emphasizing that while basic needs are often met, additional devices that could improve activity and participation are not always available.

• 1
  Adapted cars (78.2%) and manual wheelchairs (69.9%) were the most commonly provided devices.
• 2
  Provision of devices varied significantly with age and SCI severity; for example, older individuals were more likely to have walking frames, while those with complete tetraplegia were more likely to have power wheelchairs.
• 3
  There was a considerable unmet need for arm braces (53.2%) and power assisted wheelchairs (47.3%).