Applications of complementary therapies during rehabilitation for individuals with traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Findings from the SCIRehab Project.


Author: Taylor SM1,2, Cheung EO3,4, Sun R5, Grote V6, Marchlewski A7, Addington EL3,4

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab , Chicago , Illinois , USA.

<sup>2</sup>b Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA.

<sup>3</sup>c Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern University , Chicago , Illinois , USA.

<sup>4</sup>d Department of Medical Social Sciences , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA.

<sup>5</sup>e Department of Psychology , Syracuse University , Syracuse , New York , USA.

<sup>6</sup>f Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana , USA.

<sup>7</sup>g Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois , USA.
Conference/Journal: J Spinal Cord Med.
Date published: 2018 Jun 8
Other:
 Volume ID: 1-8   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1481693. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 237  
    OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the use of complementary therapies during rehabilitation for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).



DESIGN: Secondary analyses were conducted to identify the use and associated outcomes of complementary therapies provided by occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) during rehabilitation from a public dataset.



SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation.



PARTICIPANTS: A public dataset composed of 1376 patients with SCI that were enrolled in a five-year, multi-center investigation, the SCIRehab Project. Secondary analyses focused on a subset of 93 patients (47 who received complementary therapy during treatment and 46 case-matched controls who received no complementary therapy).



INTERVENTIONS: OTs and PTs recorded use of complementary therapies during sessions, including yoga, Pilates, tai chi, aromatherapy, relaxation techniques, imagery and other.



OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain interference, pain severity, mobility, and social integration.



RESULTS: Three percent of participants received any complementary therapies. Patients who received complementary therapies showed greater reductions in pain severity from 6 months to 12 months relative to matched controls. Furthermore, the amount of time that patients received complementary therapies during physical therapy sessions was associated with reduced pain interference at 6 months and with reduced pain severity at the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Complementary therapy use was not associated with mobility or social integration.



CONCLUSION: The current study provides preliminary evidence documenting the limited use of complementary therapies in rehabilitation settings and highlights the opportunity for further research, particularly regarding pain-related outcomes.



KEYWORDS: Complementary Therapies; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Rehabilitation; Spinal Cord Injuries



PMID: 29883300  DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1481693