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Published on: January 16, 2019
Nursing's Contribution to Patient Rehabilitation Following Spinal Cord Injury: An Integrative Review
Julie Pryor1, Gillian Garrett2
1Royal Rehab Group and The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Journal of Clinical Nursing
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Nurses are essential for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation, providing direct care, education, and coordination. Building strong patient relationships enhances rehabilitation effectiveness and supports life adjustments after SCI.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Science
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) necessitates comprehensive rehabilitation to optimize patient outcomes.
- The role of nursing in SCI rehabilitation requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and synthesize the contributions of nurses to patient rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI).
Main Methods:
- An integrative review was conducted using Whittemore and Knafl's methodology.
- Searches of Embase, Emcare, Medline, and Proquest databases identified 28 relevant articles.
- Articles focused on adults undergoing rehabilitation after acquired spinal cord injury.
Main Results:
- Nursing is central to SCI rehabilitation, encompassing nurse-initiated care (physical and psychosocial support), patient education, and care coordination.
- The therapeutic relationships established by nurses significantly enhance rehabilitation effectiveness.
- Tailored psychosocial support and education, aligned with individual patient needs, facilitate biographical adjustment post-SCI.
Conclusions:
- Nursing plays a pivotal role in the effective delivery of SCI rehabilitation at both individual and systemic levels.
- Enhancing nurse effectiveness may involve developing skills in integrating patient education with daily care activities.
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