Objective

People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are often immunocompromised, and at increased risk of respiratory infection. Given the restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, those with SCI may be at increased risk of health deterioration, though how this is experienced is poorly understood. This study explored the experiences of people living with SCI during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Participants completed an online survey consisting of demographic questions, and open-ended qualitative questions pertaining to their experiences during the pandemic. Thematic analysis was utilized for the analytical approach.

Setting

Community-based sample in the UK.

Participants

Participants were recruited via social media outlets of UK-based SCI-specific support charities, and snowball sampling (N = 42, F = 34, M = 8).

Results

Key themes included: (1) lost access to health services and support, capturing concerns surrounding barriers to healthcare and rehabilitation, which intensified secondary consequences of SCI such as spasm and pain; (2) health anxiety, which was perpetuated by perceived heightened vulnerabilities to respiratory complications; (3) social isolation, with significantly reduced social contact, even with care providers, compounding health experiences.

Conclusion

People living with SCI during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced a variety of personal physical, psychological, and social challenges, each of which could disrupt daily functioning and quality of life. Increased utilization of telehealth is recommended to support continued engagement in rehabilitation, and foster connection and community amongst others with SCI and health professionals.

中文翻译：

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孤立和焦虑：定性探索 COVID-19 大流行对英国脊髓损伤患者的影响

客观的

患有脊髓损伤 (SCI) 的人通常免疫功能低下，并且呼吸道感染的风险增加。鉴于应对 COVID-19 大流行的限制措施，患有 SCI 的人可能面临更高的健康恶化风险，尽管人们对这种情况的经历知之甚少。本研究探讨了 COVID-19 大流行期间 SCI 患者的经历。

设计

参与者完成了一项在线调查，其中包括人口统计问题，以及与他们在大流行期间的经历有关的开放式定性问题。分析方法采用主题分析。

环境

英国基于社区的样本。

参加者

参与者是通过英国 SCI 特定支持慈善机构的社交媒体渠道和滚雪球抽样（N  = 42，F = 34，M = 8）招募的。

结果

关键主题包括：(1) 无法获得医疗服务和支持，捕捉到围绕医疗保健和康复障碍的担忧，这加剧了 SCI 的继发性后果，如痉挛和疼痛；(2) 健康焦虑，这种焦虑因人们对呼吸系统并发症的脆弱性增加而长期存在；(3) 社会孤立，社会接触显着减少，即使是与护理人员的接触也大大减少，使健康体验更加复杂。

结论

在 COVID-19 大流行期间患有 SCI 的人经历了各种个人身体、心理和社会挑战，每一种挑战都可能破坏日常功能和生活质量。建议增加远程医疗的使用，以支持继续参与康复，并促进与 SCI 和卫生专业人员的联系和社区。