Introduction: Electrical stimulation (E-stim) can reduce the impact of complications, like spasticity, bladder dysfunction in people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), enhancing quality of life and health outcomes. With SCI prevalence high in regional Australia and a shift towards home-based community integrated care, the perspectives of people with SCI and healthcare professionals on current and future use of E-stim home-devices are needed.
Methods: A mixed-methods concurrent triangulation approach was used. A cross-sectional survey collected demographics and perspectives on E-stim technology from 84 individuals with SCI and healthcare professionals. Focus groups with 36 participants explored the experiences, facilitators, and barriers of using E-stim home-devices.
Results: Healthcare professionals prioritised the use of E-stim for muscle strength and functional improvements, whereas people with SCI prioritised alleviating secondary complications. Healthcare professionals emphasised personal responsibility; however, people with SCI saw the clinical relationship as an important facilitator. Both groups agreed on the cost, accessibility, and funding as major barriers.
Conclusions: Different expectations between healthcare professionals and people with SCI highlight the need for improved communication when establishing goals and expected outcomes. Successful E-stim home-device implementation relies on device availability and tailoring education to suit people with SCI and healthcare professionals.
Keywords: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; assistive devices; education; home-use; implementation; neurological rehabilitation; patient-centred; prescription.
Having an easy access to an electrical stimulation (E-stim) home-device can be a useful tool to improve muscle strength and reduce secondary complications, such as spasticity, bladder, and bowel dysfunction in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).Communication between healthcare professionals and people with SCI with clear goals and expected outcomes should be improved for successful implementation of E-stim home-devices.Tailoring education for healthcare professionals, people with SCI and people involved in decision-making for implementation of E-stim home-devices is essential to meet the needs and priorities of people with SCI.