Perception of benefits and barriers in performing sports at spinal cord injured patient at CRP in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose: To find out the perception of benefits and barriers in performing sports at spinal cord injured patient. Objectives: To gather the socio-demographic information, To find out the benefits in performing sports, To know about the barriers patients face in performing sports, To figure out the way to overcome their barriers. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach with semi structured interview used to conduct the study where fifteen participants with SCI who had completed their rehabilitation from Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) were participated selected by purposive sampling method. The data were collected by using a semi structure open ended questionnaire form and thematic analysis to determine key theme arising from individuals with SCI. Result: Participants mentioned a number of benefits and barriers they face in performing sports. Benefits are physical (decrease pain, improve balance, movement, hand exercise etc) , social ( supportive, helpful, learning from others, increase unity etc) , mental (decrease depression, mental refreshment, enjoyable etc), improve self - confidence. Barriers are physical (pain), mental (depression for paralised limb) and participant gives their opinion to overcome their barriers. Conclusion: This study highlighted the spinal cord injured patient perception about benefits and barriers in performing sports. Participators felt that they get a lot of benefits after participating sports and some participants has a few barriers and they give their opinion to overcome those barriers. They can do better performance if their if barriers can be removed.