Sexual Health - Women with SCI
Although sexuality and intimacy have shown to be the most important topic and the main priority for the individual living with paraplegia and the second most important (listed after recovering function of their arms) for the tetraplegia population, the current literature on sexuality and intimacy continues to be narrow and limited. Research continues to focus on sexual response, orgasm, and reproductive health, eliminating the discussion of emotional intimacy. These biomedical dimensions are unquestionably a significant concern for women (and their partners) but they inadequately summarize a SCI woman’s sexual and intimacy needs, wants, and desires.
To understand how living with a spinal cord injury changes intimacy and sexuality, specifically with the female population our research team is bridging the gap in resources available for the SCI female population regarding relationship, sexuality and intimacy.
COVID-19 and SCI
Exploring how to help patients with SCI navigate social distancing while addressing social isolation and loneliness. Identifying prior research that emphasizes the health impacts associated with social distancing, isolation, and loneliness.
Although social distancing is necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic, prior research has identified social isolation linked to negative health outcomes including poor mental health, cardiovascular disease, and increased mortality. Individuals with spinal cord injury are at greater health risks, whether they choose to prescribe to social distance or not.
Pain and SCI
Pain is one of the most common secondary health conditions post spinal cord injury (SCI). It impacts health outcomes among individuals living with a SCI, including social, physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. A majority of individuals with SCIs (over 30%) experience chronic pain, defined as persisting past the normal healing time and consistently present for a minimum of three months. The pain experienced by those with SCIs is not simplistic but instead complex in that these individuals identify the occurrence of more than one pain problem with varying severity, locations, and types of chronic pain.
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Traditionally, the primary modality of treatment for chronic pain for individuals with SCI is prescription pharmacological treatments, including opioids. There is a growing body of knowledge that explores how people with SCI live with and manage their pain with research stating non-pharmacological treatments may facilitate pain management in conjunction with opioid pharmacotherapy. Non-pharmacological pain reduction methods can improve the overall quality of life by diminishing chronic pain. Previous studies have examined physical exercise and leisure-based physical activity as prominent non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain within the SCI population.
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To improve our understanding of how people with SCI are proactively managing their pain, it is necessary to appreciate what classifications of pain they are experiencing and where they are experiencing it. Alternative treatment interventions may be the key in managing chronic pain among this population
Adaptive Sports
Involvement in recreational sports is a large component of the college campus experiences for undergraduate students. Yet, students living with a disabling condition are likely to experience challenges to participate in recreational sports with peers such as inaccessible student recreation centers and lack of adaptive programming. These challenges inhibit them to fully engage in sports. Other barriers include the lack of knowledge, inability to obtain necessary information related to recreational sports, a few role models, difficulty obtaining public transportation, as well as safety concerns.
Prior research demonstrated that adaptive sport has a positive impact on a sense of belonging, changing attitudes on campus, promoting physical well-being, and overall quality of life. The purpose of this line of research is to examine the impact of involvement in an inclusive adaptive sports program on the college experience.
Contact Me
Dr. Jennifer Piatt, CTRS
Department of Health and Wellness Design, School of Public Health, Indiana University
Adress:
1025 E. 7th Street #111
Bloomington, IN 47405
Tel 812 - 923847923
Email jennpiatt@indiana.edu