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. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201608001647143), registration date (21st May 2016), study start date (30th Nov 2016)https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=1647.
Rehabilitation plays an integral role in prompting and integrating positive experiences and changes in QoL for people with spinal cord injury (SCI), especially in a resource constrained context where there is limited opportunity to participate in rehabilitation interventions.Locomotor training and activity-based training can enhance perceived functional independence and psychosocial well-being following SCI.Rather than focus on traditional physiological outcomes, rehabilitation interventions can address quality of life outcomes in order to improve well-being in a way that is meaningful to people with SCI.