Experiences of decreased lung function in people with cervical spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
The present aim was to explore and describe experience of decreased lung function among people with cervical spinal-cord injury (CSCI).


METHODS
Thirty-three people with CSCI with a lesion between levels C4 and C8 entered the study. Qualitative content analysis was used. A semi-structured interview guide was constructed with the main focus on experience of symptoms related to decreased lung function.


RESULTS
The experience related to decreased lung function was limitations in breathing function, the ability to cough and voice function. Individual self-management strategies were described in relation to these limitations. The overarching theme throughout the interviews was that although the limitations were in most cases significant compared to the situation before injury, they were not necessarily experienced or referred to as a problem.


CONCLUSIONS
Breathing function, the ability to cough and voice function were perceived as limited in most of the present participants with CSCI compared to before the injury. Most had adapted to the situation and had developed their own strategies for handling the limitations. However, these limitations did not only become normal for the individuals because of compensatory strategies, these limitations were usually experienced as a problem not to speak of.
Nygren-Bonnier
Malin
M
Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. malin.nygren-bonnier@karolinska.se
Normi
Lise-Lotte
LL
Klefbeck
Brita
B
Biguet
Gabriele
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*