Citation

Kennedy P, Cox A, Mariani A. Spinal Cord 2013; 51(3): 209-213.

Affiliation

1] Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK [2] Department of Clinical Psychology, The National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, International Spinal Cord Society, Publisher Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/sc.2012.124

PMID

23247011

Abstract

Study design:Case series, consecutive sample, survey.Objectives:To examine the incidence of spinal cord injuries sustained as a result of falls compared with other causes, and to investigate rehabilitation outcomes between these two groups.Settings:Tertiary care, spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit (National Spinal Injuries Center), Stoke Mandeville Hospital, UK.Methods:Demographic information and descriptive statistics were examined for individuals sustaining their injury via falls vs non-falls. Statistical analysis investigated rehabilitation outcomes between the groups.Results:The etiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) reported is similar to previous findings. Individuals who sustained their SCI as a result of falls and other causes made equal improvements from the start to end of rehabilitation, according to the Needs Assessment Checklist, a clinical measure of individual rehabilitation needs in 10 domains. However, those in the falls group achieved less overall throughout rehabilitation, and this was significant at pre-discharge for the areas of bladder management, mobility and discharge.Conclusion:Results highlight the need for specific consideration to be made of the rehabilitation needs of individuals who sustain SCI as a result of a fall, and for these to be addressed in rehabilitation programming.Spinal Cord advance online publication, 18 December 2012; doi:10.1038/sc.2012.124.

Language: en