Mari-Lynn Drainoni, PhD, Bethlyn Houlihan, MSW, MPH, Steve Williams, MD, Mark Vedrani, MPH,
ABSTRACT. Drainoni M-L, Houlihan B, Williams S, Vedrani
M, Esch D, Lee-Hood E, Weiner C. Patterns of Internet
use by persons with spinal cord injuries and relationship to
health-related quality of life. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:
1872-9.
Objectives: To examine patterns of computer and Internet
use among persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and to assess
the relationship between Internet use and health-related quality
of life (HRQOL).
Design: Cross-sectional survey design.
Setting: National Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems.
Participants: People with SCI enrolled in a national
database.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures: Patterns of Internet use and
relationship to HRQOL indicators: self-perceived health status,
health status compared with 1 year ago, severity of depression,
social integration score, occupation score, contacts with
friends, business contacts, and satisfaction with life.
Results: Most subjects owned computers, had Internet access,
and used the Internet regularly—primarily for email,
disability and health information, and shopping. Bivariate analysis
revealed significant differences in Internet access based on
sociodemographics, particularly among subjects with less education
and among African Americans and Hispanics. In initial
univariate analysis, most HRQOL indicators were significantly
better for Internet users; once sociodemographic factors were
included, 4 indicators remained significant.
Conclusions: Complex factors contribute to Internet access
among people with SCI, with more barriers among specific
subgroups. A significant HRQOL benefit from Internet use is
suggested. Targeted interventions and studies of usage patterns
are recommended.
Key Words: Internet; Minority groups; Quality of life;
Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injuries.
© 2004 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and
RehabilitationDavid Esch, PhD, Elizabeth Lee-Hood, MS, MTS, Cheryl Weiner, MPH
Patterns of Internet Use by Persons With Spinal Cord Injuries and Relationship to Health-Related Quality of Life