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Development of the SCI-BodyMap-Measuring Mental Body Representations in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for
Sydney Carpentier1, Sara Bottale2, Nicole Cenci2
1Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
A new scale, the SCI-BodyMap, is being developed to measure mental body representations (MBRs) in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). This tool aims to identify MBR deficits and improve pain and function in SCI patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Neuropathic pain affects a majority of Americans with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Impaired mental body representations (MBRs) are linked to neuropathic pain in SCI.
- Existing MBR scales do not specifically address SCI-related impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate items for a novel MBR scale for adults with SCI, named the SCI-BodyMap.
- To evaluate the interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, face validity, and utility of the SCI-BodyMap.
Main Methods:
- Item generation and refinement involving physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) specializing in cognitive multisensory rehabilitation.
- Feedback on the SCI-BodyMap from American PTs/OTs and adults with SCI.
- Reliability and validity assessments using adults with SCI and a control group of uninjured adults.
- Concurrent validity measured against established body awareness and interoception scales.
Main Results:
- Enrollment of 8 PTs/OTs and 8 adults with SCI for Aim 1.
- Enrollment of 29 adults with SCI and 13 uninjured adults for Aim 2 as of August 2025.
Conclusions:
- A validated MBR scale is crucial for identifying deficits and assessing interventions in adults with SCI.
- Improving MBR can enhance daily activities, functional independence, and quality of life.
- Enhancing MBR may reduce pain and spasms and improve sensorimotor function in SCI patients.
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