Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42525972›Full record

ArticleJMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies2026

Experiences of Accessing Physical Rehabilitation Services and Assistive Products Among Orthosis and Wheelchair Users: Qualitative Study.

Charlotte Spurway, Andrew Power, Maggie Donovan-Hall, Andrew Amos Channon

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Charlotte SpurwayDepartment of Applied Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2841-6505
Andrew PowerSchool of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3887-1050
Maggie Donovan-HallSchool of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3398-845X
Andrew Amos ChannonDepartment of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4855-0418

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAccess to physical rehabilitation services, including orthotics and wheelchairs, is recognized as a fundamental human right but remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries due to resource constraints, fragmented care, and a shortage of trained rehabilitation professionals. In Cambodia, where the health system still faces challenges from past conflict, these services are delivered through a mix of government, international, and nongovernmental organizations.

objectiveThis study investigated the pathways to obtaining orthoses and wheelchairs in Cambodia and their impact on individuals with physical impairments.

methodsSemistructured interviews were conducted to explore experiences and the impact of accessing physical rehabilitation and assistive products for orthosis and wheelchair users. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with translation support, audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with participants in Phnom Penh and the Kandal province in Cambodia. In total, 17 participants aged 18 to 65 years who were current or previous patients of the Exceed Worldwide physical rehabilitation center located in Phnom Penh took part in the study.

resultsThree themes emerged (early experiences of illness and health care seeking, pathways to assistive products, and the impact of these assistive products). Access to orthoses and wheelchairs often involved lengthy delays and inconsistent experiences with medical care and physiotherapy. Despite these challenges, assistive products played a vital role in improving mobility, independence, and social participation, contributing to greater confidence and emotional well-being. However, issues such as poor environmental accessibility and delays in repair or replacement limited their effectiveness.

conclusionsThe findings demonstrate that, while assistive products offer significant benefits, they do not fully address the systemic barriers faced by people with physical disabilities in Cambodia. Persistent challenges such as stigma, environmental constraints, and emotional strain demonstrate the need for integrated policy reforms and a robust continuum of care that ensures coordinated, ongoing support across all stages of rehabilitation.

Indexed as

Cambodiaorthotic devicesphysical rehabilitationqualitativeresource-limited settingswheelchairs

Identifiers

PMID42525972
PMCPMC13469828

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.