Access Limitations and Level of Psychological Distress During the Covid-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Felix, Elizabeth R.; Alvarado, Jose Vives; Miranda-Cantellops, Natalia; Jackson, Sequoia

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2021.01.019

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…While these regular healthcare appointments may increase the risk of viral transmission, they are often essential for the patient and the disruption of care due to physical distancing policies can have detrimental consequences. Further study is needed, but preliminary research suggests that those with physical disabilities, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), have decreased access to healthcare, decreased levels of resilience, and increased incidence of mental health disorders such as depression during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resilience and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury during the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2021

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Study design Cross-sectional, observational study. Objectives To understand how resilience, access to personal care attendants (PCAs) and medical supplies, and concerns about medical rationing, finances, and social isolation are related to overall and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting Community dwelling adults ( N = 187) with SCI. Methods Data were collected online between May 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. Outcomes were overall and mental health, depression and anxiety symptoms, and quality of life (QoL). Predictors were resilience, access to PCAs and medical supplies, and concerns about medical rationing, finances, and social isolation. Results Incomplete injury, concern about medical rationing, medical supply disruption, and social isolation predicted a greater perceived impact of the pandemic on overall heath. Younger age, decreased resilience, and concern about medical rationing and social isolation predicted greater perceived impact of the pandemic on mental health. Decreased resilience and concern about medical rationing and finances predicted increased anxiety symptoms. Incomplete injury, believing that medical rationing was occurring, decreased resilience, and concern about finances and social isolation predicted increased depressive symptoms. Decreased resilience and concern about finances, medical rationing, and social isolation predicted lower QoL. Conclusions The negative effects of the pandemic on the overall and mental health of individuals with SCI may be ameliorated by resilience. In future crises, it may be beneficial to screen individuals for resilience so that those with decreased resilience are offered the appropriate resources to enhance resilience and improve overall wellbeing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resilience and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury during the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2021

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“…Health systems have been experiencing severe stress as they redistribute resources to manage COVID-19 outbreaks [4,5]. For people with SCI, this has curtailed routine healthcare, rehabilitation, and outpatient services, with earlier discharge from inpatient rehabilitation for people who are COVID-negative and suspended or temporarily reduced admissions [4,6,7]. Te use of telemedicine/telerehabilitation and home care has increased to support people at home [4,8], but further evidence is required to assess comparability with inperson consultations across a range of clinical interactions [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the psychosocial domain, lost access to personal supports such as family, personal networks, and formal support workers increased social isolation and complicated access to healthcare information [4-7, 13, 14]. Lower resilience and quality of life have also been reported, with increased depression and anxiety, particularly around accessing services [6,14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impacts and Vulnerabilities for People Living with Spinal Cord Injury and Their Service Systems of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Queensland, Australia

Hogan

Burridge

Foster

et al. 2023

Health & Social Care in the Community

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As part of a larger study examining the perceived impacts of health system stress in Queensland, Australia, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explored the experiences and perspectives of a sample of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and critical stakeholders to identify secondary complications, access concerns, and potential solutions in the context of the pandemic. This study utilised a multimethods qualitative design. Thirty-four people with SCI completed an online survey between August and November 2021, recruited from an online Spinal Life Australia Peer Support Group. Sixteen SCI expert stakeholders, recruited from the Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Services, consumer support organisations, and funding agencies, participated in one of two expert stakeholder forums in September 2021, focusing on impacts of the pandemic on the services they provided. Survey and forum results were analysed thematically. Results highlighted service disruption wherein people with SCI faced difficulty accessing health and community services (including rehabilitation) and personal supports. Reduced access led to secondary complications in physical health, psychosocial, and occupational domains. Solutions for safeguarding access to care, including action-ready back-up plans, effective technology and training, collaboration of service networks, and forward planning for system disruption, consumables access, staff support, and advocacy are required to best support vulnerable populations and the supporting staff in times of crisis. In conclusion, COVID-19 disrupted access to specialist SCI and mainstream health, rehabilitation, and social care services, resulting in functional decline and physical and psychosocial complications. While people with SCI and their service providers attempted to innovate and solve problems to overcome service access barriers, this is not possible in all situations. Improved planning and preparation for future system disruptions mitigates risks and better protects vulnerable populations and service providers in times of severe system stress.

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“…In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Algahtani et al concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures had significant effects on QOL especially for those who experienced depression, anxiety, and chronic diseases [ 9 ]. Several studies demonstrated that persons with chronic disorders similar to Parkinson’s and spinal cord injury (SCI) are at a risk for lower QOL [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This might be attributed to the shift in rehabilitation resources and care toward COVID-19 patients without considering the basic needs for persons with SCI. This may have resulted in reduction in hospital admissions for persons with SCI due to the fear of being infected with COVID-19, social distancing, and long curfew hours which confined persons with SCI within their homes, reducing their physical activity levels and increasing their unemployment rates [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts all domains of quality of life in Egyptians with spinal cord injury: a retrospective longitudinal study

et al. 2022

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Background and objective During the COVID-19 pandemic, several aspects of life have been affected. These aspects have been impacted especially in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The current study explored the overall effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life (QOL) domains in persons with SCI as well as evaluated their adherence to WHO-COVID 19-preventive measures. Design A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted after asking participants to complete an online validated Arabic version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires including their demographics. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires were completed targeting two separate occasions to represent their scores prior to and during the pandemic. Participants were asked to rate their adherence to WHO-COVID-19 preventive measures on a 10-point scale. Setting and participants 115 participants with complete/ incomplete SCI were recruited via social media and contacted by phone to complete the questionnaires. Results Persons with SCI had lower QOL scores during the COVID-19 period compared to their QOL during the pre-COVID-19 period; all QOL domains (Physical Health, Psychological, Social Relationships, and Environment) showed a significant decrease ( P < 0.001). Regarding COVID-19 preventative measures, participants were most likely to endorse self-isolation as well as staying home measures and least likely to adhere to hand washing and social distancing measures. Conclusion The robustly reduced QOL reported by individuals with SCI during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for rehabilitation and mental health services, particularly administered via telehealth, to buffer the effects of the pandemic. Additionally, psychoeducation and support regarding COVID-19 preventative behaviors in this region would be critical.

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Access Limitations and Level of Psychological Distress During the Covid-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Resilience and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resilience and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Impacts and Vulnerabilities for People Living with Spinal Cord Injury and Their Service Systems of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Queensland, Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts all domains of quality of life in Egyptians with spinal cord injury: a retrospective longitudinal study

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