Relationship of therapeutic recreation inpatient rehabilitation interventions and patient characteristics to outcomes following spinal cord injury: The SCIRehab project

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2012 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000066 · Published: January 1, 2012

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how therapeutic recreation (TR) during inpatient rehabilitation affects outcomes for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). TR includes activities and experiences that assist individuals in achieving a connection to their former lifestyles, promoting a more successful return to school, work, and personal relationships, and helping to minimize dependency on the medical community. The SCIRehab project, a multi-center investigation based in the United States, is examining relationships of treatment by multiple rehabilitation specialties, including TR, with outcomes at the time of rehabilitation discharge and the 1-year injury anniversary. The research explores the connections between patient characteristics, TR interventions, and various outcomes such as functional abilities, where patients live, how they participate in society, their quality of life, use of healthcare, and any secondary health issues one year after their injury.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

1376 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Prospective observational study

Key Findings

1
TR interventions, such as community outings and leisure activities, contribute to positive outcomes at discharge (FIM, discharge to home) and one year post-injury (FIM, work/school, living at home, societal participation).
2
Greater engagement in TR-led leisure and community activities during rehabilitation predicts better outcomes at discharge and one year after injury, showing that TR activities are linked to a return to a productive and healthy life after SCI.
3
Increased time spent in specific TR activities during rehabilitation is associated with greater participation in the same activities one year after the injury.

Research Summary

This study examines the impact of therapeutic recreation (TR) interventions on various outcomes for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation and one year post-injury. The findings reveal that TR interventions, including community outings and leisure activities, significantly contribute to positive outcomes such as improved functional independence, increased societal participation, and reduced rehospitalization and pressure sore development. The research underscores the importance of TR in facilitating a return to a productive and healthy life after SCI, highlighting the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of TR on individuals adapting to life after spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Tailored TR Interventions

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRSs) can use the study's findings to tailor TR interventions to individual patient goals, focusing on specific activities that promote long-term participation and improved outcomes.

Emphasis on Community Integration

Rehabilitation programs should prioritize community outings and leisure skill development to enhance social integration, mobility, and the likelihood of returning to work or school after discharge.

Advocacy for TR Services

The evidence-based associations between TR and positive outcomes can be used to advocate for the inclusion and expansion of TR services within comprehensive SCI rehabilitation programs.

Study Limitations

1
The study's findings may not be generalizable to all rehabilitation centers due to variations in the size and activity levels of TR departments, as well as differences in access to outdoor recreational pursuits.
2
The reliance on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) as a primary outcome measure may have limitations due to its susceptibility to bias and ceiling/floor effects; a more TR-specific tool like the Leisure Competence Measure (LCM) might have been more appropriate but was not consistently used.
3
The study only collected data on leisure activities at the 1-year post-injury interview, without gathering information on pre-injury leisure pursuits, preferences, or experiences, making it difficult to compare activities before and after the injury.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury