Managing the risks of pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Knowledge, Variability and Attitudes towards Skincare Self-Management and its Impact on Pressure Ulcer Incidence in People Living with Spinal Cord Injury
IRAS ID
330404
Contact name
Liang Qin Liu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Middlesex university
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, days
Research summary
People living with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) face a lifelong risk of developing pressure ulcers (PrU). Despite receiving education on skincare and self-management during their hospital stay after acute SCI, studies have shown that individuals with SCI often struggle to maintain consistent skincare practices once they transition back into the community, resulting in a persistently high PrU incidence within this population.
The primary aim of this research project is to investigate the attitudes and practices of skincare self-management and its impact on PrU incidence among individuals living with SCI. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach will be employed, starting with a questionnaire-based survey among wheelchair users with SCI, followed by in-depth interviews.
The survey data will be analysed to identify any associations between concordance scores (measuring adherence to the skincare regimen) and the incidence of PrU in the study population. The researchers will also perform some statistical analysis to explore the factors that either facilitate or hinder concordance with the skincare regimen and their relationship to PrU incidence.
For the qualitative aspect, all interviews will be recorded and transcribed verbatim. The researchers will employ thematic analysis using a software called NIVIVO v.12 to gain insights into the participants’ attitudes and practices regarding skincare self-management for PrU prevention.
The implications of this study are far-reaching. By understanding the barriers and facilitators to consistent skincare self-management among individuals with SCI, this research will lay the foundation for a future interventional study. The findings will inform the development of tailored education programs aimed at promoting effective skincare self-management in SCI populations. Ultimately, this will help prevent PrU incidence, leading to improved quality of life for SCI individuals and reducing the burden on healthcare costs.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0240
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion