A qualitative study of the perceived benefits of participating in a spinal cord rehabilitation intervention in a low-middle income country

Abstract

Purpose: Improving quality of life (QoL) is a major goal of rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, people with disabilities in resource constrained contexts have limited access to rehabilitation and poorer health outcomes, including QoL. There is a paucity of qualitative research on the experiences of persons with SCI involved in rehabilitation programmes in low-middle income countries. This study aimed to assess participants’ perceptions of the benefits of a 24-week SCI rehabilitation programme delivered as part of a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) in South Africa.

Materials and methods: Sixteen participants, with chronic motor-incomplete tetraplegia, were enrolled in a two-arm pilot RCT involving robotic locomotor training, a novel technology, and standard activity-based training (Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201608001647143)). Data were collected via in-depth interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Participants described several improvements in QoL, including enhanced functional independence; reduced secondary complications; and improved psychosocial and emotional well-being.

Conclusions: The holistic approach to rehabilitation calls for the involvement of individuals’ views about what matters to them to inform clinical practice and to highlight the role that physical activity and the perceived successes play in shaping the lived experiences after SCI.