Evaluation of an occupational therapy program for patients with spinal cord injury.

Spinal Cord Unit MontecatoneRehabilitation Institute, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, ItalyStudy design: Clinical controlled trial.Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapy (OT) program combined withneuromotor rehabilitation, by assessing the degree of functional independence reached by patientswith spinal cord injuries at first hospitalization.Settings: Subjects selected from the Spinal Cord Unit of the Rehabilitation Institute of Montecatone(Imola, Italy).Participants: 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 experimentalgroup underwent neuromotor rehabilitation coupled with an OT program, whereas those in the controlgroup followed neuromotor rehabilitation only. Increase in functional independence at discharge wasevaluated by the Valutazione Funzionale Mielolesi (VFM) assessment scale.Results: Patients in the experimental group showed a significant increase in the total VFM score, andin domains concerning transfers and wheelchair use. A significant improvement was observed inunmarried patients as compared to married ones.Conclusion: An OT service within a Spinal Cord Unit allows us to achieve a higher level of functionalindependence.Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 78–81; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102072; published online 24 April 2007