The Effects of Home Automation on Personal and Social Autonomies in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Pilot Study

J. Clin. Med., 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051275 · Published: February 23, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Neurorehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can significantly impair daily life, affecting social interactions and overall well-being. Rehabilitation is crucial for regaining independence. Home automation (HA) systems offer personalized support, enhancing independence and quality of life. This study investigates whether HA systems can improve personal and social autonomy in SCI patients, leading to better cognitive function and reduced anxiety and depression, compared to traditional rehabilitation methods. The study compared conventional training with advanced rehabilitation technology using HA to see how HA affects personal and social autonomies in individuals with SCI, potentially leading to better cognitive functioning and reduced anxiety–depression symptoms.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

50 SCI patients

Evidence Level

Randomized controlled trial

Key Findings

1
The experimental treatment involving HA showed an improvement in all patients' test scores in the experimental group, particularly regarding cognitive functions, mood disorders, activities of daily living, and quality of life.
2
HA training was found to be effective in improving activities of daily living (ADL), social functioning, perceived quality of life, life skills independence, and functional recovery in patients with SCI.
3
Patients in the experimental group experienced substantial improvements in global cognitive functioning (MOCA), depressive symptoms (BDI), and activities of daily living (ADL and IADL).

Research Summary

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of HA training in enhancing personal and social autonomies in SCI patients, with a consequent improvement in cognitive functioning and anxiety–depressive symptoms compared to traditional training. The findings showed that HA led to an improvement in cognitive functioning, mood disorders, and ADL, highlighting the potential of this approach for more effective management of SCI disorders. The study concludes that assistive technology like HA, used with clinical practice, could improve the social and cognitive functioning of SCI patients, positively affecting their quality of life and promoting safe reintegration.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Rehabilitation

Integrating home automation into rehabilitation programs can significantly improve patients' cognitive functions, mood, and ability to perform daily tasks.

Improved Quality of Life

By promoting independence and reducing reliance on caregivers, home automation can lead to a better quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Safe Reintegration

Training in an automated environment helps patients acquire new skills applicable to daily life, easing their transition back home and reducing feelings of frustration and isolation.

Study Limitations

1
The relatively small sample size and the selection criteria for the participants may limit the generalizability of the results to the broader SCI population.
2
The study’s duration may not have been sufficient to capture the long-term effects of HA on cognitive functioning, mood disorders, and activities of daily living.
3
The method used in the study may be defined as not fully objective from a statistical point of view since patients at the end of the rehabilitation period returned home and did not undergo a follow-up period of monitoring to track any progress or deterioration in their natural environment.

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