ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE OREM SELF-CARE MODEL VIA INTERNET PLUS ON HOME REHABILITATION OUTCOMES FOR ATHLETES WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Orem self-care model enhanced by Internet Plus technologies in the home rehabilitation of athletes with spinal cord injuries. Method: From January 2020 to June 2022, 70 spinal cord injury patients from our hospital were randomly divided into a control group, which received standard home care, and an observation group, which implemented the Orem self-care model supplemented by Internet Plus. We assessed both groups’ self-care capabilities, psychological well-being, Barthel Index (BI), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, quality of life, complication rates, and rehabilitation satisfaction before the intervention, and at 3- and 6-months post-intervention. Results: Both groups showed improvements in self-care ability, BI, ADL, FIM scores, quality of life, and rehabilitation satisfaction over the baseline at 3 and 6 months post-intervention. However, the observation group significantly outperformed the control group in these areas (P<0.05). Additionally, the observation group exhibited lower Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores compared to the control group at both the 3- and 6-month evaluations (P<0.05). The incidence of complications was also significantly reduced in the observation group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The integration of the Orem self-care model with Internet Plus significantly enhances home rehabilitation outcomes for athletes with spinal cord injuries. This approach not only improves physical rehabilitation metrics but also enhances psychological health, reduces complications, and increases overall satisfaction with the rehabilitation process. This model holds promise for broader application in home-based rehabilitation programs for athletes recovering from severe injuries.