Knowledge Assessment of Health after Spinal Cord Injury

Summary

Mobility is a well-researched priority for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, most people with SCI experience other, 'secondary' health concerns in addition to mobility impairments. Knowledge of these secondary health outcomes have not been well evaluated in Canadians living with SCI.

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate knowledge levels of secondary health outcomes in individuals with SCI. A secondary objective is to study the knowledge of common post SCI health problems in the general population. This will be done through an online survey.

Individuals with an SCI, who take part in the online survey, and who live in the Calgary area, will be invited to take part in a second portion of the study. The purpose of this part of the study is to compare self-reported symptoms of secondary health outcomes with results from physiological assessments of these secondary health outcomes. This will be done during 3 in-person study visits at the University of Calgary. These assessments will involve:
1) Wearing a blood-pressure monitor for 24 hours as you go about your normal routine
2) Lying on a table that adjusts your body from horizontal to vertical, while having your blood pressure monitored
3) Undergoing a DEXA scan

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 18 to 100

Inclusion criteria:

For the online survey, we are looking for participants who:
1) Have a self-identified SCI
2) Do not have a self-identified SCI
3) Are 18+ years of age
4) Are fluent in English
5) Are willing and able to provide informed consent

Additionally, for the in-person assessments, we are looking for participants who:
1) Have been diagnosed with spinal cord injury
2) Have completed the initial online survey
3) Live in Canada
4) Are willing and able to provide informed consent
5) Are willing and able to participate in the 3 study visits and assessments

Exclusion criteria:

You are not eligible to participate in the online survey if:
1) Your physical impairments are not due to a spinal cord injury

You are not eligible to participate in the in-person visits if:
1) You have a previously existing heart condition
2) You are pregnant, or may be pregnant

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

UCalgary Notice of Collection
The University of Calgary (UCalgary) respects your privacy and is committed to ensuring the privacy of all students, staff, and community members. Your personal information is being collected under the authority of section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). It will be collected, used and disclosed for the purposes outlined in UCalgary’s Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information and managed in accordance with UCalgary’s Privacy Management Program. Your personal information may be input into automated systems to generate content or make decisions, recommendations, or predictions. If you have questions regarding this notice or UCalgary’s collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information, please contact accessandprivacy@ucalgary.ca.

Additional information

Contact information

If you are interested in participating or would like to know more about the study, please contact the RESTORE Network Spinal Cord Injury Team at restorenetwork@ucalgary.ca

Principal investigator:

Aaron Phillips

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB21-0045