New Approach to Study the Contents and Outcomes of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: The SCIRehab Project

J Spinal Cord Med, 2009 · DOI: · Published: June 1, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

The SCIRehab project aims to understand what specific treatments during spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation are most effective. The study collects detailed information on treatments from various rehabilitation disciplines. By analyzing this data, researchers hope to develop guidelines for clinical decision-making in SCI rehabilitation.

Study Duration

5 years

Participants

1,500 patients with acute SCI

Evidence Level

Practice-based evidence

Key Findings

1
SCIRehab is the first research project to collect detailed information on individual interventions offered by the full rehabilitation team.
2
The project has developed a system for categorizing specific contributions of each discipline and a technology for documenting that detail.
3
Future manuscripts will relate those process elements to outcomes.

Research Summary

The SCIRehab project seeks to "open the black box" of acute SCI rehabilitation by collecting detailed data on treatments and outcomes. It utilizes a practice-based evidence (PBE) approach to identify which interventions are most strongly associated with positive outcomes. The project involves multiple rehabilitation facilities and aims to establish outcomes-based guidelines for SCI rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Improved Clinical Guidelines

The project aims to create outcomes-based guidelines for clinical decision-making in SCI rehabilitation.

Cost-Effective Care

A more complete understanding of treatment factors can lead to more cost-effective and efficient SCI rehabilitation care.

Enhanced Treatment Approaches

The information gained can guide clinical pathways development or stimulate the development of new and innovative treatment approaches.

Study Limitations

1
Determining what information is crucial to document on treatments a priori.
2
Ensuring all important patient variables are measured to control for patient differences.
3
Potential for incomplete documentation by clinicians.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury