The meaning of assisted feeding for people living with spinal cord injury: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Title. The meaning of assisted feeding for people living with spinal cord injury: a phenomenological study. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to explore the meaning of assisted feeding through the experiences of people with high cervical spinal cord injury. Background. Eating difficulties are known to affect a person's self-image and transform social lives. Little is known about the experience of assisted feeding as a permanent situation. Method. Sixteen people with high cervical spinal cord injury were interviewed twice within a period of 18 months in [2005][2006]. The second interview was combined with observation. Transcriptions of interviews and notes from the observations were analysed using the phenomenological guidelines by Dahlberg and colleagues. Findings. The essence of the phenomenon assisted feeding was described as a constructed pattern based on coordinated attention between the person with high cervical spinal cord injury and the helper. The constituents of the essence were: paralysis as a condition of life, facing the altered meal, reconciling with diminished bodily anchoring, sensitive cooperation between self and helper, realization of own values around meals, balanced use of meal-related devices and negotiating relationship with helpers. Conclusion. Assisted feeding should be adjusted to each individual person. Fixed procedures or routines should be avoided and assistive devices used with care. We recommend that continuity in the cooperation between the parties involved in assisted feeding is given priority, and that personal standard and social norms around meals are acknowledged.

A new magnetic device for quadriplegia

“…It has been well documented that assisted feeding and the attendant change in eating appearance are associated with feelings of isolation during mealtimes and consequent lower self-esteem. 1 This custom-made device allowed the patient to feed and drink in almost complete autonomy. The only caregiver support required was the adjustment of the device for the first use and the placement of the portable magnets on the bottle of water.…”

"An Event in Sound" Considerations on the Ethical-Aesthetic Traits of the Hermeneutic Phenomenological Text

“…What is the difference between Johan's voice in Strindberg's The Maid's Son, when he describes his lived experiences of school, and the voice of a student who does not feel recognized by his or her teacher in a qualitative, scientific study (e.g., Henriksson, 2008;Saevi, 2003)? What is the difference between the voice of a sick, bed-ridden woman in Axelsson's novel The April Witch and the experience of bed-ridden patients, who are being fed in a scientific study (e.g., Martinsen, Harder & Biering-Sorensen, 2008)?…”

Sensitive cooperation: a basis for assisted feeding

“…Sensitive cooperation between the two parties involved in assisted feeding has been found to play a significant role for people living with high cervical spinal cord injury (hcSCI) (Martinsen et al. 2008).…”

“…Our study of the experience of assisted feeding among people living with hcSCI showed that assisted feeding might gradually develop from being mainly a technical procedure where the person with hcSCI had to verbalise all needs and into a mute sensitive cooperation (Martinsen et al. 2008).…”