The role of habit in recurrent pressure ulcers following spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND

Despite the existence of numerous prevention strategies, pressure ulcers remain highly prevalent in those with spinal cord injury (SCI). The concept of habit, broadly defined, may help understand the persistence of this problem and offer strategies for its mitigation by occupational therapy.

AIM

The aim of this paper is to describe the relationship between habits established prior to sustaining an SCI and post-injury habits that impacted on pressure ulcer risk.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of qualitative data collected during an ethnographic study of community-dwelling adults with SCI.

RESULTS

Participants' habits appeared to substantially affect their risk of developing pressure ulcers. Habits established before incurring the SCI either facilitated or hindered the acquisition of new habits intended to prevent pressure ulcers.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of the individual's pre-existing habits may be important when designing a rehabilitation programme intended to minimize risk of pressure ulcer development following SCI. Habit-change strategies could be used to supplement education in pressure ulcer prevention techniques.

SIGNIFICANCE

Occupational therapists have a longstanding interest in habit. A more comprehensive understanding of this concept may provide important insights into the persistence and management of pressure ulcers following SCI.