Lifestyle changes and pressure ulcer prevention in adults with spinal cord injury in the pressure ulcer prevention study lifestyle intervention

Samruddhi Ghaisas; Elizabeth A Pyatak; Erna Blanche; Jeanine Blanchard; Florence Clark; PUPS II Study Group

doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.012021

Lifestyle changes and pressure ulcer prevention in adults with spinal cord injury in the pressure ulcer prevention study lifestyle intervention

Am J Occup Ther. 2015 Jan-Feb;69(1):6901290020p1-10. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.012021.

Authors

Samruddhi Ghaisas¹, Elizabeth A Pyatak², Erna Blanche³, Jeanine Blanchard⁴, Florence Clark⁵; PUPS II Study Group

Affiliations

¹ Samruddhi Ghaisas, OTD, OTR/L, is Director of Rehabilitation, Alhambra Healthcare and Wellness Center, Alhambra, CA. When this article was written, she was Occupational Therapy Doctorate Resident, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
² Elizabeth A. Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
³ Erna Blanche, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
⁴ Jeanine Blanchard, PhD, OTR/L, is Project Coordinator, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; [email protected].
⁵ Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor and Associate Dean and Chair, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Abstract

Pressure ulcers (PrUs) are a major burden to patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), affecting their psychological, physical, and social well-being. Lifestyle choices are thought to contribute to the risk of developing PrUs. This article focuses on the interaction between lifestyle choices and the development of PrUs in community settings among participants in the University of Southern California-Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Pressure Ulcer Prevention Study (PUPS II), a randomized controlled trial of a lifestyle intervention for adults with SCI. We conducted a secondary cross-case analysis of treatment notes of 47 PUPS II participants and identified four patterns relating PrU development to lifestyle changes: positive PrU changes (e.g., healing PrUs) with positive lifestyle changes, negative or no PrU changes with positive lifestyle changes, positive PrU changes with minor lifestyle changes, and negative or no PrU changes with no lifestyle changes. We present case studies exemplifying each pattern.

Publication types

Case Reports
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living / classification
Adult
California
Disease Progression
Female
Humans
Life Style*
Male
Middle Aged
Pressure Ulcer / prevention & control*
Rehabilitation Centers
Spinal Cord Injuries / rehabilitation*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding