The Level of Physical Capacity among Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury : A Protocol for Systematic Review (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition that often leads to impairments in function and mobility. Hence, understanding the level of physical capacity among individuals with SCI is crucial for informing rehabilitation strategies. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to summarize the available evidence regarding the level of physical capacity among individuals with SCI. METHODS An electronic search strategy will be used to identify studies published since 1993 in databases such as PubMed, Medline, CENTRAL, and Wiley Online Library. The keywords used will be ‘Spinal Cord Injury OR Paraplegia OR Tetraplegia’ AND ‘Physical Capacity OR Physical Function OR Physical Ability’. Bibliographies of primary studies and review articles will be searched manually to identify additional studies. The data extraction and risk of bias evaluation will be conducted by two reviewers. The third reviewer will assist in resolving any disagreements between the first and second reviewers. The risk of bias assessment will utilize the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale RESULTS The systematic review has not yet started. It is expected to be completed and submitted for publication by December 2024. CONCLUSIONS This study will review the participant characteristics, including age, sex, type and severity of the injury, and years since the injury. The characteristics of the studies will also be reviewed, including the study design, the type of outcome measure, and the results and findings from the included studies. The findings of this study will be published in a journal with peer review, and updates will be made if sufficient new evidence modifies the review's conclusions. Any modifications to the methodologies made during the review will be detailed in the article. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO CRD42023440804