Spinal cord injury rehabilitation patient and physical therapist perspective: a pilot study

The objectives of this retrospective observational study were to explore physical therapists’ perceived involvement of patients with SCI in physical therapy (PT) rehabilitation, second to explore individuals with SCI perceived involvement in PT rehabilitation, third to compare how patients and physical therapists perceive involvement in PT rehabilitation and last to explore patients’ perceived involvement with satisfaction with life (SWL). This study was conducted in the United States. Two 11-item questionnaires were designed one for physical therapists and one for patients. The items were rated on a Likert-type agreement scale. Thirty physical therapists completed the patient involvement questionnaire for physical therapists and nine individuals with SCI completed the patient involvement questionnaire and SWL scale. We certify that all applicable governmental and institutional guidelines were followed during the course of this research. The results indicated that both physical therapists and patients were overall in agreement that patients were involved in their PT rehabilitation on most items. The two items that received the lowest Likert scores by the therapists and patients were friends and family involvement in therapy and gender-related issues. The item, individualized patient goals, received the largest discrepancy between therapists and patients. The sample size was too small to observe a trend with SWL and perceived involvement. Patients and PTs from this pilot overall agree patients are included in treatment; however, the discrepancy in scores related to individualized goals requires further research.