Does attendance in SCI education courses impact health outcomes in acute rehabilitation?

Though education about secondary complications following spinal cord injury (SCI) is a component of many rehabilitation programs, there is little research on their success in promoting healthier outcomes. This study examined 1) whether greater education course attendance was associated with improved health outcomes and quality of life and 2) whether completion of bladder management and skin care courses was associated with decreased incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pressure ulcers (PUs).

Retrospective medical record review.

Patients (N = 106) in a Veterans Administration (VA) SCI rehabilitation program who completed at least one education class from August 2008 to September 2012.

Records were reviewed to determine the number of education courses completed and patients' responses to the Satisfaction with Life Survey (SWLS), the short form of the Craig Handicap and Assessment Reporting Technique (CHART-SF), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-8) at admission, discharge, and 90 days post-discharge. Records were reviewed to determine frequency of UTIs and PUs from admission to discharge and from discharge to 90-day follow-up.

Regression analyses revealed no association between number of classes and self-reported health and quality of life. Skin care class attendance was associated with a decreased number of PUs. Greater overall attendance at education courses was unexpectedly associated with a higher number of UTIs from admission to discharge.

Results of the study are mixed. Multiple factors appear to impact the success of education interventions. Future research is needed to clarify the best approach.