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ObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review was to identify the modifiable factors that impact the health and quality of life (QOL) of community-dwelling people with spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsEmpirical journal articles were identified using three academic databases: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE with Full Text, and PsycINFO. Full-text journal articlesincluded studies of participants who were community-dwelling with traumatic or nontraumatic SCI and were over the age of 18 years without cognitive impairment; published between 2000 and 2021; focused on modifiable factors impacting health and QOL; and conducted inAustralia, Europe, orNorth America. A data table was used to extract article information including authors, year of publication, country, sample, design and methods, purpose/objectives, and main findings. Qualitative data analysis software was used to categorize major findings inductively through content analysis.ResultsThirty-one peer-reviewed articles consisting of qualitive, quantitative, and mixed-methods study design were included. This scoping review revealed modifiable factors that impact the health and QOL of community-dwelling people with SCI: sociostructural factors (social attitudes, health care access, information access, and funding and policies) and environmental factors (built environment, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and natural environment).ConclusionFuture research should examine the influence of the modifiable factors on health and QOL using qualitative inquiry, adopting a community-based participatory research approach, and considering the implications of individual characteristics and resources.

Background Our research team developed a mobile application (app) to facilitate health-related self-management behaviors for secondary conditions among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). To facilitate mobile app adoption and ongoing use into the community, it is important to understand potential users’ expectations and needs. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to explore user expectations of a mobile app intervention designed to facilitate self-management behavior among individuals with SCI. Methods Data were collected via one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 20 community-dwelling participants enrolled in a larger, clinical trial. Analysis of the transcripts was undertaken using a six-phase process of thematic analysis. Results Our analysis identified three main themes for expectations of the mobile app intervention. The first theme, desiring better health outcomes, identified participants’ expectation of being able to improve their psychological, behavioral, and physical health outcomes and reduce associated secondary conditions. The second theme, wanting to learn about the mobile app’s potential, identified participants’ interest in exploring the functionality of the app and its ability to promote new experiences in health management. The third theme, desiring greater personal autonomy and social participation, identified participants’ desire to improve their understanding of their health and the expectation for the app to facilitate social engagement with others in the community. Conclusion By exploring end-users’ expectations, these findings may have short-term effects on improving continued mobile health app use among SCI populations and long-term effects on informing future development of mobile app interventions among chronic disease populations.

Background As eHealth technologies become a more prevalent means to access care and self-manage health, it is important to identify the unique facilitators and barriers to their use. Few studies have evaluated the use or potential use of eHealth technologies in spinal cord injury (SCI) populations. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to explore and identify barriers and facilitators to engagement with eHealth technologies among individuals with SCI. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected via one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 20 community-dwelling participants enrolled in a larger clinical trial. Analysis of the transcripts was undertaken using a four-phase process of content analysis. Results Our analysis identified three barriers to engagement with eHealth technologies, including (1) overcoming a digital divide to comprehending and utilizing eHealth technologies, (2) navigating internet resources that provide too much information, and (3) interacting with these technologies despite having limited hand function. Our analysis also identified three facilitators to using eHealth technologies, including (1) having previous successful experiences with eHealth technologies, (2) being able to use voice activation features, and (3) being able to interact in an online community network. Conclusion By exploring barriers and facilitators to eHealth technology use, these findings may have a short-term impact on informing researchers and clinicians on important factors affecting engagement of individuals with SCI with telemedicine, mobile, and web applications (apps) and a long-term impact on informing future development of eHealth interventions and tools among chronic disease populations.