Correlation of Pain and Spasticity with the Quality of Life in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Introduction: After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), life is associated with risks of many musculoskeletal problems which affect the life of an individual. There is a need for an early assessment for neurological functions and physical activities. Aim: To assess the correlation of pain and spasticity with Quality of Life (QoL) in individuals living with SCI. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Axon spine hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, from January to April 2022, which comprised of 54 participants. Demographic details, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale, pain with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), spasticity with NRS and World Health Organisation Quality of Life Brief (WHOQoL-BREF) had four domains, 26-items questionnaire regarding different aspects of life were recorded. Categorical data has been presented as frequencies and percentages and quantitative data as means and standard deviations. Linear correlation analysis of WHOQoLBREF with pain and spasticity respectively has been done. Level of statistical significance was 5%. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.54±7.6 years and the male to female was 39:15. Out of 54, total 39 (72.22%) had complain of pain and total 38 (70.37%) reported spasticity. Mean score of pain intensity is 4.1±3.4 and spasticity is 2.7±2.4. WHOQoL-BREF means of 4 domain score-physical health domain 54.05±18.56, psychological health domain 58.14±11.95, social relationship domain 59.14±13.59, and environmental domain 56.29±18.58. There was a negative linear correlation between pain (r-value=-0.489) and spasticity (r-value=-0.063) with WHOQoL-BREF. Conclusion: Pain is correlated with QoL, which was lower in people living with SCI along with some associated conditions like spasticity affecting physical activities.