Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/23095
Title: Nothing to lose: a phenomenological study of upper limb nerve transfer surgery for individuals with tetraplegia.
Austin Authors: Mooney, Alysha;Hewitt, Alana E;Hahn, Jodie 
Affiliation: Victorian Spinal Cord Service, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
Issue Date: 2021
Date: 2020-05-01
Publication information: Disability and rehabilitation 2021; 43(26): 3748-3756
Abstract: Purpose: For individuals with tetraplegia, regaining upper limb function forms the highest priority for improving quality of life. Use of nerve transfers to reconstruct upper limb function is increasing, however little is known about individual's decision to have and experience of the surgery and associated rehabilitation outcomes. This qualitative study aimed to understand the experience of surgery on the lives of individuals with tetraplegia 18 months post-surgery.Method: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five purposively selected individuals who have undergone upper limb nerve transfers at a metropolitan health service, Melbourne, Australia, specializing in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Collaizi's phenomenological framework guided data analysis, resulting in an essence statement describing the individuals' experience.Results: An essence statement comprising three themes; Deciding on Surgery, Facing Challenges: Surgery to Recovery and Evaluating Surgical Outcomes, was developed.Conclusion: The study suggests that for individuals with tetraplegia, hope to regain lost upper limb function forms a core consideration in the decision to have surgery. For clinicians supporting patient's decision, balancing hope with the realities of surgery is important. Even small changes in upper limb function had an important influence on participant's confidence in social situations through enhanced participation in a range of everyday activities.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIn making a decision to have surgery, individuals with tetraplegia benefit from two way discussions with the healthcare team and others who have already undergone surgery.Healthcare teams need to help prepare individuals for the challenges of surgery including: expectations of pain, hospital stay, initial loss of independence and the time it may take to see re-innervation of target muscles and subsequent functional changes.Surgery should be routinely considered as individuals' report that even small changes in upper limb function positively increases participation in everyday tasks and confidence in social situations.When evaluating changes in upper limb function, patient-centered measures should be used.
URI: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/23095
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1750716
ORCID: 0000-0003-0332-8418
Journal: Disability and rehabilitation
PubMed URL: 32356497
Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Spinal cord injury
nerve transfers
qualitative research
reconstructive surgery
tetraplegia
upper limb
Appears in Collections:Journal articles

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