Aging After Spinal Cord Injury: A 30-Year Longitudinal Study

J Spinal Cord Med, 2006 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2006

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) change over three decades in terms of their satisfaction with life, health, activities, and how well they're adjusting. Researchers followed a group of people with SCI over 30 years, checking in at three different times to see how things changed, particularly focusing on their education, work, social life, and health. The study found that while many things improved in the first 15 years after SCI (like education and employment), some areas declined later on, such as sitting tolerance and satisfaction with social and sex life.

Study Duration

30 Years

Participants

256 individuals initially, 78 completed all follow-ups

Evidence Level

Longitudinal study

Key Findings

1
Sitting tolerance, educational and employment outcomes, satisfaction with employment, and adjustment increased during the first 15-year period.
2
Clear declines were noted in terms of diminished sitting tolerance, an increase in the number of physician visits, and decreased satisfaction with social life and sex life.
3
Many positive changes occur within the first 2 decades after SCI, followed by a period of stability in some life areas, but decline with aging in some participation and health-related aspects of life.

Research Summary

This longitudinal study investigated changes in life satisfaction, general health, activities, and adjustment over 3 decades among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). We found a mixed pattern of changes over the 30 years, with increases noted during the first 15-year period in sitting tolerance, educational and employment outcomes, satisfaction with employment, and adjustment. The results suggest that many positive changes occur within the first 2 decades after SCI, followed by a period of stability in some life areas, but decline with aging in some participation and health-related aspects of life.

Practical Implications

Long-term monitoring

Rehabilitation professionals should recognize declines in sitting tolerance and satisfaction with social relationships as indicators of change requiring attention.

Vocational support

Vocational outcomes remain stable, but maintaining employment may impact other life areas, necessitating job accommodations that balance work and other aspects of life.

Specialty counseling

Rehabilitation centers and independent living centers should disseminate information on interpersonal relations and sexual function through outreach efforts to individuals with limited resources.

Study Limitations

1
Instrumentation used during the first phase of the study would not meet the more rigorous standards for measures commonly used today.
2
Attrition from all causes was relatively high over the 30-year period, mostly because of mortality.
3
Some changes were not large, and this limits clinical significance.

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