Relationship of psychology inpatient rehabilitation services and patient characteristics to outcomes following spinal cord injury: The SCIRehab Project

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2012 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000059 · Published: January 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Mental Health

Simple Explanation

This study examines how psychological services during inpatient rehabilitation affect outcomes at discharge and one year after spinal cord injury (SCI). It uses data from the SCIRehab Project, a collaboration that seeks to understand the relationships between patient characteristics, rehabilitation services, and various outcomes. The study found that more time in psycho-educational interventions was linked to better function, discharge to home, home residence at 1 year, and fewer pressure ulcers. Conversely, more psychotherapeutic sessions focusing on emotions and locus of control were associated with poorer outcomes. The research suggests that psychological services are a crucial part of comprehensive medical rehabilitation and should be tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Interventions that focus on fixing deficits may lead to negative outcomes, while those that promote adjustment and growth tend to produce more positive results.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

1032 inpatients with SCI 12 years of age and older

Evidence Level

Prospective observational cohort study

Key Findings

1
More time in psycho-educational interventions was associated with better function, discharge to home, home residence at 1 year, and the absence of pressure ulcers at 1 year.
2
More psychotherapeutic sessions focusing on processing emotions and/or locus of control were associated with poorer function at discharge and 1 year, less physical independence and community mobility, lower satisfaction with life, and the presence of pressure sores at 1 year.
3
Psychological services are an important component of comprehensive medical rehabilitation and tailored to patient needs and readiness to benefit from rehabilitation.

Research Summary

This study evaluates the effects of psychological interventions on rehabilitation outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). It examines factors such as residence and functional status at discharge, as well as aspects of participation one year after the injury. The results indicate that psycho-educational interventions are associated with positive outcomes, while psychotherapeutic sessions focusing on processing emotions and locus of control are linked to negative outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring psychological services to individual patient needs. The study concludes that psychological services are a vital part of comprehensive medical rehabilitation, and further research is necessary to determine the most effective types and timing of psychological interventions based on individual patient strengths and vulnerabilities.

Practical Implications

Tailored Interventions

Psychological interventions should be tailored to the specific needs and readiness of each patient to maximize benefits.

Focus on Adjustment and Growth

Prioritize psychological services that foster adjustment and growth, rather than solely focusing on remediating deficits.

Further Research

Conduct further research to determine the optimal type and timing of psychological services during inpatient rehabilitation based on individual patient characteristics.

Study Limitations

1
The participating rehabilitation centers are not a probability sample of all facilities providing SCI care in the United States.
2
The taxonomy and data collection system used to document psychology interventions was developed for this study and lacks widespread validation.
3
Data on the assessment of depression and anxiety were missing for about 40% of the participants.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury