Telepsychology for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Randomized Control Study of Video-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2022 · DOI: 10.46292/sci22-00010 · Published: October 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

This study explores using video therapy (telepsychology) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for people who have recently experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI can lead to depression, which can hinder recovery. Telepsychology might make therapy more accessible. The study involves a 24-week randomized controlled trial where some participants receive 10 sessions of CBT via video calls, while others receive usual care. Researchers will measure depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction at different points in time. The goal is to see if tele-CBT can improve the mental health and well-being of people with SCI. The study also addresses challenges like ensuring privacy and providing necessary technology for participants with mobility issues.

Study Duration

24 weeks

Participants

160 individuals with acute SCI

Evidence Level

Level I, Randomized Controlled Trial

Key Findings

1
The study anticipates that participants receiving tele-CBT will experience improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms and increased life satisfaction compared to those receiving usual care.
2
The research highlights the importance of addressing participant privacy, providing assistive technology, and managing risk remotely in telepsychology interventions for individuals with SCI.
3
Recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges, leading to modifications in recruitment methods to accommodate remote approaches and maintain participant safety.

Research Summary

This study investigates the efficacy of telepsychology, specifically video-based CBT, for individuals with SCI to address depression and improve well-being. Participants within one year of SCI are randomized to either tele-CBT or usual care, with outcomes measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. The study acknowledges challenges such as recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes considerations for privacy, assistive technology, and remote risk management in telepsychology interventions.

Practical Implications

Increased Access to Mental Health Care

Telepsychology can overcome barriers like mobility issues and transportation difficulties, making mental health care more accessible to individuals with SCI.

Improved Mental Health Outcomes

Early intervention with tele-CBT may lead to significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction among individuals with acute SCI.

Wider Implementation of Telepsychology Programs

The ubiquity of internet-connected devices supports the potential for wide-scale implementation of telepsychology programs using participants’ own devices.

Study Limitations

1
Providing iPads to all participants may limit generalizability and the potential for large-scale implementation of this aspect of the research methodology because of cost constraints.
2
Recruitment in the context of a global COVID-19 pandemic that placed limitations on an in-person approach and establishing workflow with most research staff working from home full-time.
3
Remote recruitment methods have yielded lower rates than in-person methods where staff meet potential participants and treating physicians provide longer warm hand-offs.

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