Evaluation of an occupational therapy program for patients with spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Clinical controlled trial.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapy (OT) program combined with neuromotor rehabilitation, by assessing the degree of functional independence reached by patients with spinal cord injuries at first hospitalization.


METHODS
Subjects selected from the Spinal Cord Unit of the Rehabilitation Institute of Montecatone (Imola, Italy).


METHODS
Thirty-six male patients below age 60, with complete paraplegia (ASIA-A) in thoracic-lumbar level, at first hospitalization.


METHODS
Patients were divided into experimental and control groups. Subjects in the experimental group underwent neuromotor rehabilitation coupled with an OT program, whereas those in the control group followed neuromotor rehabilitation only. Increase in functional independence at discharge was evaluated by the Valutazione Funzionale Mielolesi (VFM) assessment scale.


RESULTS
Patients in the experimental group showed a significant increase in the total VFM score, and in domains concerning transfers and wheelchair use. A significant improvement was observed in unmarried patients as compared to married ones.


CONCLUSIONS
An OT service within a Spinal Cord Unit allows us to achieve a higher level of functional independence.
Pillastrini
P
P
Department of Neurological Sciences, Occupational Medicine Unit, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, School of Physiotherapy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy. paolo.pillastrini@unibo.it
Mugnai
R
R
Bonfiglioli
R
R
Curti
S
S
Mattioli
S
S
Maioli
M G
MG
Bazzocchi
G
G
Menarini
M
M
Vannini
R
R
Violante
F S
FS
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data