Quality of life among persons with spinal cord injury using orthoses

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering condition that can significantly impair mobility, independence, and social participation. Orthotic devices are commonly prescribed to enhance postural stability, facilitate ambulation, and improve functional performance. However, evidence regarding the quality of life of individuals with SCI using orthoses in Bangladesh remains limited.
Objective: To assess the quality of life among persons with spinal cord injury using orthoses at a specialized rehabilitation center in Bangladesh.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, between May 2022 and January 2023. A total of 103 individuals with SCI who used orthotic devices were recruited through eligibility screening and written informed consent. Quality of life was assessed using the Bengali version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.72 ± 8.82 years, and the majority were male (85.4%). Most participants perceived their general health as good or very good (74.8%), while 97.1% reported that their health status was better than one year earlier. Psychological well-being was relatively favorable, with 39.8% of participants reporting no feelings of nervousness and 41.7% indicating that they never felt extremely depressed. Physical functioning remained substantially limited, particularly in performing vigorous activities (51.5%) and bending, kneeling, or stooping (60.2%). Social functioning was comparatively well maintained, as 70.9% of participants reported that emotional problems did not interfere with their usual social activities.
Conclusion: Individuals with SCI using orthoses demonstrated a moderate level of quality of life. Psychological and social domains showed comparatively better outcomes than physical functioning domains, indicating successful psychosocial adaptation despite persistent physical limitations. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation approaches that address both functional recovery and psychosocial well-being.