Smart-device environmental control systems: experiences of people with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Background: Environmental control systems (ECS) are devices that enable people with severe physical limitations to independently control household appliances. Recent advancements in the area of environmental control technology have led to the development of ECS that can be controlled through mainstream smart-devices. There is limited research on ECS within Australia and no known research addressing smart-device ECS.

Environmental control systems - the experiences of people with spinal cord injury and the implications for prescribers.

Purpose: Environmental control systems (ECSs) can potentially influence comfort, safety, security and independence for people with severe impairment from spinal cord injury (SCI). This study, aimed at informing prescription practises, investigated ECS prescription and utilisation from the consumer perspective.

Methods: Qualitative inquiry, through 15 semi-structured interviews, explored the perspectives of people with high level SCI who use ECSs.