Name:
Jacinthe Adriaansen
Department of Rahabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports
Function:
PhD-student, M.D.
Email: j.adriaansen@dehoogstraat.nl
Tel: +31 30-2561330
Supervisor:
M.W.M. Post
Title research:
Long-term secondary health conditions, fitness and active lifestyle after spinal cord injury.
Summary research:
Thanks to the improving medical and rehabilitation care, life expectancy of persons with a spinal cord injury is significantly improved since the fifties. It appears, however, that with increasing age and time since injury, more problems are encountered. These problems are particularly seen in the areas of activity, fitness, participation and the so called “secondary health conditions” like bladder and bowel disorders, pressure sores, spasticity, upper-extremity pain and obesity.
Lack of knowledge exists on the prevalence of these secondary health conditions in persons with long-term SCI. This is partly because no regular long-term rehabilitation aftercare system is currently operational in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is likely that there is an under-diagnosis and under-treatment of long-term health problems and de-conditioning.
The overall aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of secondary health conditions and reduced exercise capacity in persons with long-term spinal cord injury. Furthermore, we will assess the impact of the secondary health conditions on active lifestyle, participation and quality of life.
A total of 300 wheelchair dependent persons with spinal cord injury (age between 28 and 65 years old and a time since injury of at least 10 years) will be invited for a one-day aftercare check-up. This day will consist of an anamnesis and physical examination by a rehabilitation physician, an interview by a research assistant, exercise and laboratory testing, spirometry and imaging of the bladder and kidneys by an ultrasound. Before participating in this aftercare check-up the participants will, preferably digital, complete a set of questionnaires at home.
The results will be used to found a system of structured life-long spinal cord injury rehabilitation care in The Netherlands.