The Use of Long-Handled Brush as an Assistive Device for Improving Bathing Satisfaction in Spinal Cord Injury Patient: A Case report
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a damage to spinal cord that results in temporary or permanent impairment or loss of sensory, motor, and bladder function. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation therapy program combined with the provision of a long-handled brush to improve independence in bathing activities. Objective: A 30-year-old man was diagnosed with spinal cord injury at American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) B, motor level C5, caused by neurofibromatosis. Impaired hand muscle function resulted in poor hygiene due to the inability to reach his lower body part. Methods: Adaptation techniques, environmental modifications, and the provision of assistive devices were important components of the occupational therapy rehabilitation. Focused on maintaining upright sitting position by controlling and strengthening trunk posture while scrubbing the lower body with a long-handled brush. Results: Five weeks after the comprehensive occupational rehabilitation program showed improvement characterized by Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) scores for bathing activity performance from 3 to 5 and bathing activity satisfaction from 4 to 6. Conclusions: The implementation of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy program using a rehabilitative frame of reference combined with an assistive device effectively improved independence in bathing activities.
Index Terms- activity of daily living, assistive devices, bath, occupational therapy, spinal cord injury.
