Outcome of Physical Rehabilitation Interventions in Persons with Post-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries at Paraplegic Centre Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

 Objective: To determine the outcomes of physical rehabilitation interventions at Paraplegic Center, Peshawar.

Methods: This was Quasi experimental study, conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 at Paraplegic Center, Peshawar. A total of 306 persons with SCI were included in the study. Patients with ASIA-E level were excluded. Rehabilitation interventions including nursing care, physical and occupational therapy was applied for 4 days per week for a month. Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) scale was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and T-test was used to compare the pre and post intervention’s scores, where p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: A total of 306 persons with SCI, mean age 32.5±14.3 years, out of whom 65 (21.2%) were female and 214 (78.8%) were male. The outcome of occupational therapy (self-care) indicates that mean scores for feeding, bathing, dressing and grooming were improved to significant level (p<0.001). Regarding Nursing care; respiratory & sphincter management, respiration was significantly improved (p < 0.001). While bladder’s sphincter management score improved from 2.78±5.6 to 9.9±4.8 respectively. Similar improvement was observed in bowel’s sphincter management and use of toilet (p<0.001). Physical therapy outcomes were measured in terms of mobility. A marked improvement was seen in mobility in bed (p=0.002). Other parameters like; transfer from bed to wheelchair, indoor and outdoor mobility for moderate distance and stair management were significantly improved, (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Physical rehab interventions significantly improve independence measures like self-care, respiratory & sphincter management and mobility in persons with SCIs.