Environmental control unit utilization by high-level spinal cord injured patients.

The study was designed to evaluate the use of an environmental control unit (ECU) by high-level spinal cord injured patients. The technology is relatively new, and to the best of the authors' knowledge, no comprehensive study has been made of the utility of the ECU. Data were obtained from 29 high-level spinal cord injured persons who had been using ECUs for at least one year. The subjects had a mean age of 24.2 years; 89.7% were men; and 51.7% of the injuries resulted from vehicular accidents. Most (93%) of the subjects perceived the ECU as increasing their independence. Operation of the telephone was indicated as the most important function (61%); control of television sets were second (21%) in rank. Of the subjects who worked or went to school, only two used their ECUs for those purposes. Subjects felt comfortable for longer periods without attendant care when the ECU was available. Some of the subjects felt that they had received inadequate training (30%) and that their attendants lacked understanding of the ECU (36%). Steps should be taken to increase the employment potential of ECU users by providing units with additional features and by increasing the training of both users and their attendants. Design of units that are more "user friendly" is also needed.