Almeida Silvia B S, Macedo Roberta Corrêa, Souza Rosiane F A, da Costa Elaine C, Reis Fernanda, Sampaio Marília Carvalho
Rehabilitation Sciences, Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Aug;20(6):1700-1710. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2471482. Epub 2025 Mar 2.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is often an acute event with extreme consequences, resulting in significant restrictions in daily activities and social participation. Assistive technology (AT) plays a crucial role in rehabilitation, yet abandonment of these devices is common despite their potential benefits. There is a gap in the literature concerning specific experiences of individuals with tetraplegia regarding AT abandonment.
This study aims to analyse adherence, abandonment and discontinuation rates of AT devices among individuals with tetraplegia secondary to SCI at a Rehabilitation Hospital in Northeast Brazil. Additionally, it seeks to identify the reasons behind the abandonment of these devices.
Participants were selected based on hospital records, and phone interviews were conducted to gather information on AT usage post-hospital discharge. Sociodemographic, clinical data and device details were analysed.
The study revealed an abandonment rate of 18.4% among participants. Younger individuals (16-30 years) showed a lower abandonment rate. Devices categorised under "Postural Support" were the last frequently abandoned, contrasting with "Computer Accessibility" which recorded the highest abandonment rate.
The findings highlight a significant abandonment rate of assistive products, underscoring clinicians' and researchers' concerns about AT and emphasising the need for expanded studies. There is an urgent call to deepen understanding of the reasons behind abandonment. Future research using probabilistic samples is recommended to identify factors associated with abandonment, aiming to enhance AT services collaborating with the rehabilitation of individuals with tetraplegia.
脊髓损伤（SCI）通常是一种后果严重的急性事件，会导致日常活动和社会参与受到极大限制。辅助技术（AT）在康复中起着至关重要的作用，然而尽管这些设备有潜在益处，但弃用现象却很常见。关于四肢瘫痪者在辅助技术弃用方面的具体经历，文献中存在空白。
本研究旨在分析巴西东北部一家康复医院中因脊髓损伤导致四肢瘫痪的患者使用辅助技术设备的坚持率、弃用率和停用率。此外，还试图找出弃用这些设备的原因。
根据医院记录选择参与者，并通过电话访谈收集出院后辅助技术使用情况的信息。对社会人口统计学、临床数据和设备细节进行了分析。
研究显示参与者的弃用率为18.4%。较年轻的个体（16 - 30岁）弃用率较低。归类为“姿势支持”的设备是最不常被弃用的，与之形成对比的是“计算机无障碍设备”，其弃用率最高。
研究结果凸显了辅助产品的高弃用率，强调了临床医生和研究人员对辅助技术的担忧，并强调了开展更多研究的必要性。迫切需要深入了解弃用背后的原因。建议未来采用概率抽样进行研究，以确定与弃用相关的因素，旨在加强与四肢瘫痪者康复协作的辅助技术服务。
