Palermo, AE;
Gorgon, E;
Vecchio, A;
Triccas, LT;
McCaughey, E;
Donovan-Hall, M;
(2025)
Perspectives on Barriers to Use and Benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation From Australians and New Zealanders With SCI and Clinicians and Researchers in the Field.
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
, 31
(1)
pp. 100-112.
10.46292/sci24-00013.
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Abstract
Objectives: To document, through a survey, perceptions of functional electrical stimulation (FES) from people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and carers, clinicians, and researchers (CCR). Methods: Online questionnaires were completed in Australia and New Zealand from December 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022. Subgroups included people with SCI who have used FES, people with SCI who have not used FES, CCRs who have used FES, and CCRs who have not used FES. Frequencies and percentages of subgroup data were calculated for all questions. Open-ended responses were analyzed with inductive content analysis. Results: Ninety-nine responses (70 people with SCI, 29 CCR) were analyzed. Out of the 99 responses, 47 people with SCI and 27 CCRs had used or currently use FES. Muscle strength was the most frequently reported benefit by people with SCI and CCRs who use(d) FES. Lack of training was the most frequently reported barrier to FES by people with SCI (85% of question responders) and CCRs (94%) who had used FES. People with SCI (95%) who had not used FES reported access as a barrier. The leading priorities for future research include improved ease of use for people with SCI (60% people with SCI) and clinical guidelines (48% CCR). Qualitative findings supported the quantitative findings. Conclusion: This survey identified access as a barrier to FES and echoed benefits (strength) and barriers (training) reported in previous research. Ameliorating the barriers and investigating the areas of future research identified in this study will ultimately improve FES uptake in SCI rehabilitation.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Perspectives on Barriers to Use and Benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation From Australians and New Zealanders With SCI and Clinicians and Researchers in the Field |
| Location: | United States |
| DOI: | 10.46292/sci24-00013 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.46292/sci24-00013 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | consumer perspective, functional electrical stimulation, rehabilitation technology, spinal cord injury, Humans, Spinal Cord Injuries, New Zealand, Australia, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Male, Female, Adult, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Aged, Research Personnel, Australasian People |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Clinical and Movement Neurosciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10207126 |
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