According to the Christopher Reeves foundation, challenges affecting individuals with SCI can increase risk of covid-19 complications. The organization states that the autonomic nervous system is affected by SCI and can cause changes in pulse, blood pressure, respiration problems, and slow immune response of individuals. Being immunosuppressed is a high risk for Covid-19 complications since it allows the virus to invade and replicate quickly in the body. Diabetes, heart disease, respiratory infections, and other chronic health conditions can also increase risk of Covid complications since it affects immune response of the body.
Ways to prevent Covid-19 infection in the SCI community includes:
- Cleaning all contact surfaces off wheelchairs
- Social distancing
- Stay home except of essential necessity.
- Wash your hands often.
- If you use gloves do not touch your face, ears, or mouth.
- Hydrate slowly (Take extra care of bladder program)
- Stock up on catheters to support high hydration levels.
- Use delivery options for grocery or food to prevent unnecessary exposure.
- Prevent outing by minimizing exposure at places like supermarket or pharmacy.
Dr. Henzel and colleagues, including Dr. David Gater from University of Miami, also conducted a review on assessment and management of respiratory infections in people with spinal cord injuries in the Covid-19 era, and they state that individuals with tetraplegia and paraplegia suffer from varying levels of respiratory muscle paralysis. While level of injury and completeness impact this degree of paralysis its effect is clear, diminished respiratory function. Those at the Miami Project to cure Paralysis recommend for individuals with SCI to practice respiratory muscle therapy to help strengthen the weakened muscles. A video demonstrating some exercises can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wIc6MHRrdI
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine also conducted a webinar to summarize information about the evidence gathered relating individuals with SCI and Covid-19. For more information about SCI and Coronavirus please refer to this video webinar “SCI Webinar Series Lay Summary of Evidence Related to COVID-19 in People Living With Spinal Injury”.
Another aspect of Covid-19 explored by Dr. Elizabeth Felix and colleagues at University of Miami involves assessing access limitations and psychological distress during the pandemic in individuals with SCI. Depending on the level of SCI, patients have limitations that require them to need daily assistance, medical supplies, and medications. Limited access to healthcare providers during the pandemic can have a negative impact on both their physical and mental health. There has been an increase in levels of depression and anxiety after the pandemic most likely as resources become harder to acquire and social distancing causes less social interaction in individuals with SCI. The study identified the percentages of access limitations in different categories that individuals with SCI faced:
The study also determined the change in percentages of how both anxiety and depression has increased after the pandemic.
The study found that restrictions necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may be especially burdensome to individual with SCI and the long-term effects of the extended isolation and decreased access due to the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health are not yet fully understood.
