Perceived Value, Ownership, and Barriers to Smart Home Technology for Individuals with 1 Spinal Cord Injury and Disease

Presenter Information

Drew H. Redepenning MD, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of  Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Lynn A. Worobey PhD, DPT, ATP, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA  

Dan Ding PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA  

Edelle C. Field-Fote PT PhD, Crawford Research Institute, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA; Department of  Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; School of  Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Rachel E. Cowan PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Birmingham, AL

Allen Heinemann PhD, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL

Elizabeth R. Felix PhD, Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL; Research Service, Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL  

Chloe Slocum MD MPH,  Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, MA; Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Boston, MA  

Candace Tefertiller PT PhD, Craig Hospital, Denver CO

Denise C. Fyffe PhD, Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research/Center for Outcomes and Assessment Research,  Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ; Department of Physical Medicine & 26 Rehabilitation, Rutgers-University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark,  NJ

Ronald Reeves MD,  Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Chad Swank PT, PhD, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX; Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation, Dallas, TX

Michael L. Boninger M, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA  

Abstract

Introduction: Mainstream Smart Home technology (MSHT) represents a category of assistive technology that facilitates independent performance of daily tasks, such as controlling lights and other home appliances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the categories of MSHT that are commonly owned by individuals with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D), their perceived benefits, and barriers to obtaining or utilizing.

Methods: The study sample comprised individuals (N=417) aged 18 years or older with SCI/D living in the community. Participants evaluated 18 distinct categories of MSHT, reporting on device ownership, perceived benefit of ownership (yes, no, unsure), acquisition method, satisfaction, and barriers to ownership or use. Additionally, a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to determine factors associated with increased MSHT ownership.

Results: Participants owned a median of 4 categories of MSHT (IQR 2–6), with 7 (IQR 3–10) categories perceived as beneficial but not owned. Most devices (88.4%) were acquired through self-pay. Common barriers to ownership were cost (63.6%) and installation difficulty (35.2%). Multivariate logistic regression identified higher education (OR=1.97, p=0.03), higher income  (OR=2.25, p< 0.01), and greater upper extremity impairment (OR=1.75, p=0.03) as significant predictors for owning ≥4 categories of MSHT.

Conclusions: MSHT was highly valued among individuals with SCI/D, though the rate of ownership of MSHT was low, especially for costlier or more complex devices. Barriers stem largely from affordability and limited support for installation and training. Integrating MSHT training into rehabilitation programs and improving funding, education, and service delivery could enhance access and autonomy for people with SCI/D

School

Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine

Submission Type

Paper

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