Accessibility Research

Browse the latest research summaries in the field of accessibility for spinal cord injury patients and caregivers.

Showing 1-10 of 21 results

Requirements for Universally Accessible Upper-Body Exercise Equipment: The Case of People with Spinal Cord Injuries in Korea

Occupational Therapy International, 2023December 22, 2023

This study evaluated the usability of four upper-body exercise equipment types for individuals with paraplegia and spinal cord injuries, identifying areas for improvement to enhance accessibility. A m...

KEY FINDING: The arm ergometer showed higher scores in performance, stability, and satisfaction compared to strength exercise equipment for people with spinal cord injuries.

The Role of Environmental Factors on Health Conditions, General Health and Quality of Life in Persons with Spinal Cord Injuries in South Africa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2023May 3, 2023

This study investigated the relationship between environmental factors and health outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in South Africa. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data ...

KEY FINDING: Public access, short- and long-distance transport, and friends’ and colleagues’ attitudes were significantly associated with secondary health conditions.

Environmental barriers perceived by the Finnish population with spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional survey

Spinal Cord, 2024April 23, 2024

This study explored the environmental barriers (EBs) that hinder participation for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Finland, using the Nottwil Environmental Factors Inventory Short Form (NEFI-S...

KEY FINDING: Climate was the most frequently perceived environmental barrier, with 72% of respondents reporting difficulties and 44% considering it a serious barrier.

Inclusive rehabilitation and assistive technologies development: An exploration of considerations, principles, and stakeholder engagement

Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 2024January 1, 2024

The article emphasizes the importance of including end-users in the development of rehabilitation and assistive technologies (Rehab & A-T) to ensure that these technologies effectively meet their need...

KEY FINDING: Excluding end-users leads to problems such as device abandonment, additional expenses, lack of maintenance options, and ethical implications.

A Scoping Review on the Influence of Housing on the Health and Well-Being of People with a Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction

Healthcare, 2024December 16, 2024

This scoping review examined the current state of evidence for housing across the continuum for individuals with an SCI/D and has provided several critical insights and identified notable gaps in the ...

KEY FINDING: Inaccessible housing leads to lower autonomy, especially for those with more severe injuries, poorer quality of life, and reduced community participation.

Identifying priorities and developing collaborative action plans to improve accessible housing practice, policy, and research in Canada

PLoS ONE, 2025February 10, 2025

This article describes the development of priorities and actions to improve the state of research, policy, and practice related to accessible housing in Canada for persons with disability or with acce...

KEY FINDING: The expert panel identified three clusters of priorities: engaging with all levels of government to support accessible housing efforts.

Environmental barriers and participation restrictions in community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury in Jiangsu and Sichuan Provinces of China: Results from a cross-sectional survey

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2023January 1, 2021

This study aimed to describe the relationship among impairment, environmental barriers and participation restrictions in a community-dwelling population with SCI from two provinces in China. The surve...

KEY FINDING: Participants experienced a median of five environmental barriers and five participation restrictions.

Environmental factors influencing the prevention of secondary health conditions among people with spinal cord injury, South Africa

PLOS ONE, 2021June 25, 2021

The study aimed to explore environmental factors influencing the prevention of SHCs in people with spinal cord injury by interviewing people with SCI, caregivers and therapists. The environmental fact...

KEY FINDING: Social support from family, caregivers, and peers significantly aids in preventing secondary health conditions by providing emotional encouragement, physical assistance, and financial support.

Living with spinal cord injury in Mongolia: A qualitative study on perceived environmental barriers

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2020July 1, 2020

This qualitative study identifies environmental barriers faced by individuals with SCI in Mongolia, revealing challenges related to physical accessibility, transportation, societal attitudes, healthca...

KEY FINDING: Participants reported poor access to physical environments, including buildings without ramps or lifts and inadequate restrooms. This limited their mobility and independence in daily activities.

Developing a Facilitators Scale in the Context of Travel: ReTRIP

Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2020January 1, 2020

The study developed the ReTRIP scale to measure factors that facilitate travel participation for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The scale was developed through qualitative interviews and quanti...

KEY FINDING: The ReTRIP scale has 11 items and measures two main areas: industry-oriented facilitators (like accessible information) and self-oriented facilitators (like problem-solving skills).