Coping effectiveness training during acute rehabilitation of spinal cord injury/dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare coping effectiveness training (CET) with supportive group therapy (SGT) for anxiety, depression, and adjustment to injury in an acute spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) rehabilitation population. CET was shown to result in decreased anxiety and depression symptoms when compared to historical no-treatment control groups (Kennedy, Duff, Evans, & Beedie, 2003; King & Kennedy, 1999). The present study sought to extend those findings with a comparison of CET to an alternative active therapy condition, SGT.


METHODS
Participants (N = 40) entering a hospital-based program were assigned to treatment condition using block randomization. Questionnaire mood measures were completed at program admission, program discharge, and 3-month postdischarge follow-up. Adjustment to disability was assessed at follow-up only. Analyses of variance tested for group differences in anxiety, depression, and adjustment to injury.


RESULTS
Both groups reported reductions in mood symptoms with no differences between treatment conditions. However, similar reductions were obtained after fewer sessions of CET. Symptoms of depression increased in both groups following hospital discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical and research implications, including innovative interventions during the period after discharge, are discussed.
Duchnick
Jennifer J
JJ
James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Jennifer.Duchnick@va.gov
Letsch
Elizabeth A
EA
Curtiss
Glenn
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012944:Social Support; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*