Spinal cord injury and quality of life: what determines quality of life and what is the relationship between physical activity, fitness and quality of life
Date
1998-08
Authors
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Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This thesis is comprised of two investigations. The first investigation, using
naturalistic inquiry, determined the domains that represented quality of life for persons
with a spinal cord injury. Seven persons with complete quadriplegic injuries (one female,
six males) and eight persons with complete paraplegic injuries (five females, three males)
participated in this study. Results showed that quality of life for this population,
regardless of severity of impairments, was represented by nine domains: 1) physical
function and independence; 2) accessibility; 3) emotional well being; 4) stigma; 5)
spontaneity; 6) relationships and social function; 7) occupation; 8) finances; and 9)
physical well being. The domains of life quality were similar for quadriplegic and
paraplegic individuals; however, physical function and independence and physical well
being affected the quality of life of persons with a quadriplegic injury to a greater extent.
These findings may provide health professionals with information necessary to assist in
the development of programs to enhance quality of life.
The objective of the second investigation in this thesis was to explore the
relationships amongst four variables of interest; subjective and objective quality of life
scores, and fitness and physical activity in individuals with a spinal cord injury. Both
qualitative and quantitative methodologies were utilized in this second study and
qualitative data collection was done in conjunction with Study One. The same 15
persons described in Study One, in addition to discussing quality of life, also provided
information about physical activity and fitness and the role it played in their quality of
life. Quantitative data collection with 40 individuals with spinal cord injury included
measurements of: fitness, physical activity, subjective quality of life and objective
quality of life. Results were reported for each of three level of injury groupings (high
quadriplegia, low quadriplegia and paraplegia). Results showed that physical activity
was significantly correlated with the total score for objective quality of life in the groups
of persons with high quadriplegia and paraplegia. Qualitative results supported these
findings especially in relation to the importance of fitness and physical activity to the
objective domain of functional ability. There were no significant correlations between
subjective quality of life and the other three primary variables; objective quality of life,
fitness and physical activity, for any of the level of injury groupings. However, qualitative results suggested that activity may play an important role in an individual's
perception of quality of life. Thus, although the results from this investigation suggest a
relationship between fitness, physical activity and objective quality of life, the
relationship with subjective quality of life requires further exploration.
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Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
College of Kinesiology
Program
College of Kinesiology