Self-management among home-based individuals with cervical spinal cord injury participating in community activities

Background

In Japan,there are 100,000 people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and this figure increases by 5000 annually. This is worrying, especially with regard to the probability of patients shutting themselves off from the world following the great amount of careneeded due to quadriplegi. However, some individuals with CSCI are able to maintain their health and involve themselves in social activities. The objective of the present study was toexamine the self-management ability of home-based individuals with CSCI and to understand howthey made their lives meaningful.

Method

A qualitative design was used. Semi-structured home interviews were conducted with 9 participants, all of whom belonged to the Self Help Group for CSCI in oneprefecture and assumed the leading role there.

Results

The followingcategories were extracted: 1) getting an opportunity to recuperate, 2) being self-sufficient, 3)having a regular lifestyle to preserve one’s health following  CSCI, 4) rediscovering personal goals and challenges in life, 5)being active membersof the community. By being proactive in combating their condition, they managed to improve their physical abilities through the help of useful informationgathered, and in doing so, a caring relationshipwith otherswasestablished.

Conclusion

Self-management among individuals with CSCIrevolves around the process of rebuildingone’s lifeand maintaining the health gained. Weopine thatthe participants had matured following this experience, and in doing so, became greater aspersons. These resultswould be usefulas in providing home care staffwith valuable knowledgeon the issue of care.