Experiences about walking self-care in people with incomplete spinal cord injury in the acute phase
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0220e.35421Keywords:
spinal cord injuries; rehabilitation nursing; gai; self-care; hospitalAbstract
Introduction: Walking self-care is often affected in people with spinal cord injuries, leading to states of acquired dependence. Even during the acute phase, a rehabilitation program must be initiated, with a view to functional recovery and the development of strategies for the new condition.
Objective: Understand the experiences of walking self-care in people with incomplete spinal cord injuries in the acute phase.
Methods: Qualitative study, with a phenomenological approach, using semi-structured interviews to sixteen participants. Thematic-categorical content analysis, with support of the Atlas-Ti tool. Categories based on the Self-care Deficit Nursing Theory.
Results: Five categories were identified that result from needs related to self-care walking, from Awareness of Self-Care Deficit, which involved feelings of fear and anxiety about not regaining walking, to Participation in Rehabilitation, which brought out motivation and hope in recovery. The Need for Acceptance arose from the initial confrontation with being in a wheelchair. In the category Conditioners of Walking Self-Care, feelings such as the fear of falling emerged and in the category Promoters of Walking Self-Care, environments that favor learning and feelings of joy and optimism in recovering walking were valued.
Conclusion: Remarkable experiences about walking self-care begin during the initial hospitalization after spinal cord injury. Health professionals should integrate and develop care in the areas highlighted in this study, to increase self-care attitudes and enhance the reconstruction of autonomy.
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