Student Competition (Health Services, Economics and Policy Change) ID 1977283

Abstract

Assistive technologies (AT) span a large range of products from mobility aides such as canes to electronic systems that provide reminders. These technologies are important in facilitating independence, recovery and improved quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, clinical and economic outcomes for AT evaluated in the scientific literature is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study is to review the clinical and economic evidence for AT in the SCI population. Scientific literature databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE and CINAHL will be searched using terms identified in collaboration with a Medical Librarian. In the first stage, the titles and abstracts of clinical studies and economic analyses of AT focused in SCI will be screened by two reviewers. This will be followed by a second stage full-text screening for inclusion in the review by the same reviewers. The types of ATs evaluated will be identified along with the outcomes measured. Where applicable, study results will be presented using summary statistics. Work is currently underway to identify the citations. Two reviewers will then screen the titles and abstracts. It is anticipated that a large majority of the citations will be screened out with a small number of studies remaining. Most studies are also expected to be for the clinical evaluation of AT with variable outcomes. The results of this scoping review will provide valuable insight on the types of AT where clinical and economic evidence is available and identify where the current research gaps are.