Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38076291›Full record

ArticleTopics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation2023

Caregiving for People With Spinal Cord Injury Undergoing Upper Extremity Reconstructive Surgery: A Prospective Exploration of Lived Experiences, Perioperative Care, and Change Across Time.

Rachel Heeb Desai, Allison L'Hotta, Carie Kennedy, Aimee S James, Katherine Stenson, Catherine Curtin, Doug Ota, Deborah Kenney, Katharine Tam, Christine Novak and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Rachel Heeb DesaiProgram in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Allison L'HottaProgram in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Carie KennedyDivision of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Aimee S JamesDivision of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Katherine StensonSaint Louis Veterans' Healthcare System, St. Louis, Missouri.
Catherine CurtinPalo Alto Veterans' Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California.
Doug OtaPalo Alto Veterans' Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California.
Deborah KenneyDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.
Katharine TamSaint Louis Veterans' Healthcare System, St. Louis, Missouri.
Christine NovakDivision of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ida FoxDivision of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Nerve transfer (NT) and tendon transfer (TT) surgeries can enhance upper extremity (UE) function and independence in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Caregivers are needed to make this surgery possible, yet caregivers experience their own set of challenges. Objectives: This comparative study explored the perioperative and nonoperative experiences of caregivers of individuals with cervical SCI, focusing on daily life activities, burden, and mental health. Methods: Caregivers of individuals with cervical SCI were recruited and grouped by treatment plan for the person with SCI: (1) no surgery (NS), (2) TT surgery, and (3) NT surgery. Semistructured interviews were conducted at baseline/preoperative, early follow-up/postoperative, and late follow-up/postoperative. Caregivers were asked about their daily life, mental health, and challenges related to caregiving. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative, single-item standardized burden score (0-100) data were collected at each timepoint. Results: Participants included 23 caregivers (18 family members, 4 friends, 1 hired professional). The surgeries often brought hope and motivation for caregivers. Caregivers reported increased burden immediately following surgery (less for the NT compared to TT subgroup) yet no long-term changes in the amount and type of care they provided. NS caregivers discussed social isolation, relationship dysfunction, and everyday challenges. Conclusion: Health care providers should consider the changing needs of SCI caregivers during perioperative rehabilitation. As part of the shared surgical decision-making approach, providers should educate caregivers about the postoperative process and the extent and potential variability of short- and long-term care needs.

Indexed as

Spinal Cord InjuriesSurgery, PlasticHumansPerioperative CareProspective StudiesUpper Extremityburdencaregivingspinal cord injurysurgery

Identifiers

PMID38076291
PMCPMC10644855

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.