Outcomes of Activity Participation in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

This study compared the influence of various types of activities an individual participates in one year after sustaining a spinal cord injury (SCI) with different levels of community integration (CI) one and five years post-discharge, and determined if there was longitudinal change in CI. CI was measured by Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART), with the Occupation domain representative of an individual's level of activity participation. Results from analyses (N=69) demonstrated that activity participation is correlated with all other CHART domains (Physical Independence, Social Integration, Mobility). While the three CHART domains were all predicted by hours spent in different activities, recreation was the only activity that significantly predicted Social Integration at year 1 and also influenced Mobility scores. The only longitudinal change found in CI was increased hours at a paid job. Results suggest the importance of utilizing various activities to address outcomes in the community during SCI rehabilitation.