Editorial: Community reintegration after spinal cord injury

Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2022 · DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.1020279 · Published: September 20, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can lead to sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction, along with secondary complications like pressure injuries and chronic pain. Community integration is a core goal of rehabilitation. Community integration involves participation in society through occupation, recreation, social activities, and relationships. Inclusion means creating environments with equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone, regardless of abilities. Research highlights the need for person-centered rehabilitation that fosters resiliency, empowerment, peer support, and hope for the future to break down barriers to community integration.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

People living with SCI

Evidence Level

Editorial

Key Findings

1
A longitudinal study showed that within the first year following SCI, 55% of participants struggled with social participation, and only one third were employed.
2
The COVID-19 pandemic and the fear of falling can lead to physical and social isolation, affecting one's ability to function in the community.
3
People living with SCI desire person-centered rehabilitation throughout the continuum of care, emphasizing factors and strategies that facilitate participation, inclusion, and community integration.

Research Summary

This editorial discusses the importance of community reintegration for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It highlights the shift in rehabilitation towards a biopsychosocial model that addresses medical, psychological, and social aspects of the injury. The editorial emphasizes the challenges in achieving community integration after SCI, especially with decreasing hospital stays, and the need for alternative settings and methods for community integration programs. The Research Topic discussed in the editorial includes studies on the impact of COVID-19, falls, and the transition from hospital to community on individuals with SCI, emphasizing the importance of patient perspectives and person-centered care.

Practical Implications

Enhance Rehabilitation Programs

Develop comprehensive rehabilitation programs that extend beyond inpatient care and address the biopsychosocial aspects of SCI to improve community integration.

Address Social Isolation

Implement strategies to combat social isolation caused by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and fear of falling, promoting social participation and well-being.

Promote Person-Centered Care

Foster person-centered rehabilitation by incorporating patient perspectives and emphasizing factors like resiliency, empowerment, and peer support to facilitate inclusion and community integration.

Study Limitations

1
The editorial nature of the article limits the depth of analysis.
2
The discussed research topic focuses on a specific set of studies, potentially overlooking other relevant factors.
3
Generalizability may be limited due to the focus on the experiences of individuals with SCI in specific geographic locations (Canada, United States, Russia).

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