Assistive technologies for self-managed pressure ulcer prevention in spinal cord injury: A scoping review

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Assistive technologies for self-managed pressure
ulcer prevention in spinal cord injury A scoping
review

• James Y. Tung, PhD Brent Stead, PhD, MBA
  William Mann, MBA Ba Pham, PhD Milos R.
  Popovic, PhD

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• Aim
• Review key concepts and appraise current
  technology related to self-managed prevention of
  pressure ulcers (PUs) in individuals with spinal
  cord injury (SCI).
• Relevance
• PUs in individuals with SCI are a persistent and
  costly problem.
• Continued development of new technologies that
  support and sustain self-managed care is an
  important prevention strategy.

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Method

• Literature search of PubMed and Web of Science
• Articles published between 1975 and 2012.
• Search terms pressure ulcer AND spinal cord
  injury AND self-management OR technology.

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Results

• Identified 4 technology categories that support
  self-management.
• Computer-based education
• Demonstrated improved short-term knowledge gains
  (2 studies).
• Interface pressure mapping
• Demonstrated improved adherence to
  pressure-relief schedules up to 3 mo (5 studies).
• Electrical stimulation
• Confirmed improved tissue tolerance after 8 wk of
  training (3 studies).
• Telemedicine programs
• Demonstrated improved independence and reduced
  hospital visits over 6 mo (2 studies).

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Conclusion

• Self-management technologies demonstrated
  low-to-moderate effectiveness in addressing a
  subset of risk factors.
• Effectiveness of technologies in preventing PUs
  is limited due to a lack of incidence reporting.
• Recommendation
• Develop integrated technologies that address
  multiple risk factors.