A Literature Review of Nutrition Knowledge Measurement Items Used in Persons Living with Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders.

Objectives: To identify and describe diet and nutrition knowledge measurement tools/items used among adults with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).

Methods: Conducted a literature search for publications measuring diet/nutrition knowledge using items or tools in persons with SCI/D. Eligible articles were published in 1992-2022, in English, and assessed SCI/D participants' nutrition knowledge. Articles were reviewed for study design, questionnaire validation, sample characteristics, item content, and whether nutrition knowledge was general or SCI/D-specific.

Results: Of 48 articles examined, five were included in the review. None of the nutrition knowledge questionnaires were validated in persons with SCI/D. Only one study assessed nutrition knowledge in nonathletes with chronic SCI/D, and this study excluded individuals with tetraplegia. The other studies either solely recruited athletes (n = 2; one included participants with amputation) or individuals with acute SCI/D (n = 2). Common item topics included calories/energy, sources of micronutrients and macronutrients and their effects on the body, and nutrition literacy. One questionnaire included non-SCI/D-specific nutrition items for persons with disabilities. Only one (unvalidated) questionnaire contained SCI-specific nutrition knowledge items, which only assessed whether more energy, fiber, and water are needed following acute SCI/D.

Conclusion: Studies that assess nutrition knowledge among persons with SCI/D are rare and are typically observational or cross-sectional, with limited information on important SCI/D subgroups. Items relevant to unique needs of persons with SCI/D are sparse. A validated questionnaire that measures knowledge of SCI-specific nutrition, that is relevant to this population, and that can be parceled out by subgroup is needed.