Evidence-based recommendations for the rehabilitation and management of the ageing population with spinal cord injury: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines

This study looks at existing guidelines for treating and managing spinal cord injury (SCI) to see if they include recommendations specifically for older adults with SCI. This is important because as people with SCI live longer, or sustain SCI later in life, they have unique health needs. The researchers reviewed a number of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to identify those that include recommendations for people "ageing with SCI" or who have acquired an "SCI with ageing." The review aims to identify how well current guidelines cover the health and functioning needs of older adults with SCI and where the gaps are in these recommendations.

• 1
  Only 30% of the reviewed clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) included recommendations related to aging with spinal cord injury.
• 2
  Most of the guidelines with aging-related recommendations were from the USA or Europe and lacked specific sections on aging.
• 3
  The recommendations were often based on low or very low-quality evidence and did not adequately consider the preferences of patients and stakeholders.