Caregiver expectations of recovery among persons with spinal cord injury at three and six months post-injury: A brief report

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2020 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1508953 · Published: January 1, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Social Support

Simple Explanation

This study looks at what caregivers of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) expect for the patient's recovery, focusing on things like pain, social life, sleep, and returning to work or school. The study found that many caregivers overestimated how much their loved ones would improve in these areas within three to six months after the injury. The researchers suggest that these unmet expectations could negatively affect the caregiver's mental health and overall well-being.

Study Duration

6 Months

Participants

13 Caregivers of patients with SCI

Evidence Level

Prospective, longitudinal observation study

Key Findings

1
A significant percentage of caregivers had unmet expectations regarding the patient's recovery in social engagement, pain decrease, and sleep improvement at both three and six months post-injury.
2
At three months, 75% of caregivers had unmet expectations for social engagement recovery.
3
Rates of unmet expectations were similar at six months, with 70% of caregivers reporting unmet expectations for social engagement recovery.

Research Summary

This study explored the expectations of caregivers of persons with traumatic SCI in the acute phase of injury and recovery. Results indicate that caregivers tended to overestimate the extent to which their loved ones would recover three and six months after injury, particularly with their social recovery and pain management. The study suggests that unrealistic expectations of SCI recovery from family members following injury warrants further research as a potential risk to caregiver well-being and adjustment.

Practical Implications

Education in Acute Care Setting

The findings highlight the need for education and realistic goal-setting for caregivers in the acute care setting.

Caregiver Mental Health

Unmet expectations for patient improvement are a potential contributor to risk for depression in caregivers.

Further Investigation

Caregiver expectations merit further investigation for their link with caregiver mental health.

Study Limitations

1
Investigator-created expectancies measures that lack psychometric support and require additional validation.
2
Small sample size.
3
Sex disproportionality (i.e. largely female)

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