Enhancing Rehabilitation Participation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder Using Motivational Interviewing

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether training physical and occupational therapists in motivational interviewing (MI) can increase participation in rehabilitation sessions and improve outcomes for people with spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D). This multi-site randomized controlled trial aims to compare therapy participation, functional improvement at discharge, and community integration 6 months post-discharge between patients treated by MI-trained therapists and those treated by therapists without MI training. The study builds on earlier promising pilot results but expands to multiple sites and includes ongoing coaching to enhance therapist MI skills. The study involves two groups of therapists: one receiving 16 hours of MI training plus coaching and the other providing standard care without additional MI training. Therapists will audio record two therapy sessions per week with enrolled SCI/D inpatients. MI-trained therapists will apply motivational interviewing techniques during therapy sessions to encourage positive health behavior change. The study will track therapy participation levels during a 4-week treatment period and assess functional abilities at week 4 and community participation 6 months after discharge. Participants include both therapists and inpatients with SCI/D at three study sites. Patients consent to audio recording of therapy sessions and complete brief surveys near discharge and 6 months later. Researchers will monitor therapy participation from enrollment through 4 weeks of treatment and collect data on functional and social outcomes. Safety and adherence will be observed throughout the inpatient rehabilitation and follow-up periods, with the study expected to conclude in April 2027.

Enhancing Rehabilitation Participation in Patients With SCI/D Using Motivational Interviewing