Change in Social Participation of Adults with Spinal Cord Injury During the First Two Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

IntroductionThe change in environmental and social context measures during the COVID-19 pandemic affected daily activities of people with spinal cord injury (SCI), their interactions within the community, and consequently their social participation during the first wave of the pandemic. However, there is little information about the changes in social participation as the pandemic evolved in Canada. Objective: To describe the change in social participation of adults with SCI after the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. MethodsA follow-up from a previous study exploring the social participation of adults with SCI living during the first wave was conducted eight months later (second wave). Social participation was measured using the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H 4.0) and Measure of Quality of the Environment (MQE) among 18 adults with SCI. ResultsParticipants reported increases between both waves of COVID-19 in life habits categories, including mobility, personal care and health, nutrition, and recreation. New environmental factors were identified as facilitators, including the increased availability of businesses in the community. ConclusionThese findings suggest that people with SCI increased fulfillment and satisfaction of certain life habits. Reduced environmental barriers and increased facilitators improved social participation as the pandemic evolved.