Dignified Moving and Handling in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: A Global Call for Practice Transformation

Safe and dignified moving and handling practices are essential components of spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. While many high-income health systems integrate mechanical aids and evidence-based protocols to ensure patient and staff safety, moving and handling practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often continue to involve manually handling patients during transfers. This outdated approach compromises patient safety, increases the risk of pressure injuries, and adversely affects patients' sense of dignity and engagement in rehabilitation. Despite centers being equipped with technological advancements in neurorehabilitation such as robotics, exoskeletons, and virtual reality-based rehabilitation systems, moving and handling remains an under-addressed issue globally. A review of literature shows that most research in this area has focused on caregiver biomechanics and injury prevention, with limited exploration of patient-reported outcomes and dignity-related concerns. There is a critical need for globally harmonized moving and handling standards that uphold patient-centered care principles. By aligning practice with existing evidence on complication prevention and quality of life, healthcare systems can mitigate long-term costs while enhancing rehabilitation outcomes. This article calls for increased research on patient experiences, cross-context collaboration, and policy reform to prioritize dignity, safety, and evidence-based moving and handling practices as core elements of SCI rehabilitation.