Investigation of the relationship between orthosis satisfaction, functional independence and quality of life of spinal cord injured individuals using lower extremity orthosis

Akyüz, S., Investigation of the Relationship Between Orthosis Satisfaction, Functional Independence and Quality of Life of Spinal Cord Injured Individuals Using Lower Extremity Orthosis, Hacettepe University Graduate School Health Sciences Prosthetics-Orthotics and Biomechanics Department, Master Thesis, Ankara, 2023 The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between satisfaction with lower extremity orthosis use and the levels of quality of life and functional independence in individuals with Spinal Cord Injured. A total of 107 individuals with a mean age of 42,38±17,91 were included in the study. Orthosis satisfaction was assessed using the Quebec Assistive Technology User Satisfaction Assessment Questionnaire. Functional independence was measured using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure ( S CIM III), and quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Gait assessment was performed using the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI II) scale. No statistically significant correlation was found between orthosis satisfaction and functional independence with quality of life parameters (p>0.05). Patients were divided into therapeutic ambulation and functional ambulation groups according to their WISCI II score and no significant difference in orthosis satisfaction was observed between the two groups (p>0.05). The patients were grouped based on the type of lower extremity orthosis they used. Among the groups, the group with the highest orthosis satisfaction score was the group that used the dorsiflexion band orthosis and no difference was found among the other groups (p>0.05). The patients were also grouped according to their neurological levels. Among the groups, the group with the highest orthosis satisfaction score was the group with L1-L5 level, and no difference was found among the other groups (p>0.05). As a result of the study, the lack of correlation between orthosis satisfaction with functional independence and quality of life indicates that the study is an important step in investigating which factors affect orthosis satisfaction in individuals with SCI. Since the use of orthoses is an indispensable part of the rehabilitation process in individuals with SCI, it is thought to be appropriate to plan studies on orthosis satisfaction and provide a different perspective to professionals working in the field.