A Scoping Review of Self-Management Interventions Following Spinal Cord Injury

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2020 · DOI: 10.1310/sci2601-36 · Published: January 1, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Experience Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to impairments in motor and sensory function and disrupts the autonomic, bowel, bladder, and autonomic systems, often resulting in multiple secondary health conditions. Self-management (SM) is increasingly important for improving long-term outcomes for SCI, but there is no standard definition of SM in SCI, necessitating tailored approaches. This scoping review identifies the components of SM embedded in interventions for SCI to help develop a robust model of SM for SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

112 studies representing 102 unique self-management programs

Evidence Level

Scoping Review

Key Findings

1
Only a small fraction of programs provided an explicit definition of self-management.
2
Peer tutors were frequently used in SM programs, highlighting the importance of social connections and filling knowledge gaps.
3
The most common components in SM programs were information about the condition, symptom management, and psychological training and coping strategies.

Research Summary

This scoping review identified components of SM within established taxonomies that are embedded in SM interventions for persons with SCI. Most programs delivered general SCI information, with fewer providing information on specific topics common in SCI, while health care professionals most commonly delivered program material. The most common SM components dealt with condition and symptom management, followed by psychological training and coping strategies.

Practical Implications

Theory-Driven Program Design

SM program developers should explicitly think about the intersection of their components with theory such that they are intentionally embedded.

Personalized Assessment

Health care professionals should consider that patients’ understanding and interpretation of SM is variable and a one-size-fits-all approach is likely inappropriate.

Comprehensive Program Integration

SM programs should include physical and emotional support from caregivers, peer support, and strategies to maintain independence and control.

Study Limitations

1
Only English language articles published in scientific articles were included, potentially introducing publication and language bias.
2
A grey literature search was not conducted, so a small number of sources may have been missed.
3
It was beyond the scope of this review to assess the effectiveness of a specific program style or component

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury