Through the Lens of People with Spinal Cord Injury

Project Background

Many individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) live with the persistent threat of falling and injuring themselves. The physical and psychosocial consequences for the individual are significant, as is the economic impact on health systems and society. Despite its importance, fall prevention for people with SCI is largely understudied, and within clinical settings there is a perceived lack of evidence-based methods to address fall risk. Our team is investigating the efficacy of photovoice as a fall prevention intervention. Photovoice is a community-based, participatory method that uses photographs and dialogue to share experiences, deepen understanding of an issue and promote positive change.

Objectives

The primary aim is to evaluate the effects of photovoice on falls self-efficacy and fear of falling among ambulators and wheelchair users living with SCI. Secondary aims are to: 1) evaluate the effects of photovoice on participation levels and quality of life among ambulators and wheelchair users living with SCI, and 2) explore the experiences with, and perceptions of, photovoice as a fall prevention intervention.

Methods

A concurrent (Quan + Qual) mixed methods study design has been adopted for this pilot study.Participants are enrolled into the study in groups of 10 participants, with separate groups for those who ambulate and those who use a wheelchair as the characteristics of falls and learned fall prevention strategies differ between these groups. The study involves 3 phases completed over 30 weeks. Phase 1 involves tracking falls for three months. Phase 2 involves the photovoice intervention, which consists of photo assignments, individual interviews and group meetings. In phase 3, falls are tracked again for three months and a final interview is conducted. Questionnaires concerning falls self-efficacy, fear of falling, participation and quality of life will be administered throughout all study phases. All study activities are completed over a web conferencing platform.

Results and Outputs

In progress.

Knowledge Translation

Pending.

Team Members

• James Sessford PhD, RKin, Post-doctoral Fellow, KITE-University Health Network
• Katherine Chan MSc, Clinical Research Coordinator, KITE-University Health Network
• Anita Kaiser, MSc, PhD Candidate, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto
• Dr. Sarah Munce, Scientist, KITE-University Health Network; Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto
• Dr. Hardeep Singh, Scientist, KITE-University Health Network; Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto

Funding Acknowledgements

• Psychosocial Research Grant, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation