The Effectiveness of Spinal Cord Injury ADL Inpatient Education on Rehabilitation Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction: Occupational therapy patient education is an acknowledged intervention which enables clients to develop activities of daily living. Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is affected by length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation and many individuals return to the community with inadequate activities of daily living skills. This systematic review evaluates the effect of activities of daily living education on rehabilitation outcomes following spinal cord injury.
Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of activities of daily living clinical trials for spinal cord injury was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines.
Findings: Three educational interventions were identified: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Preservation of Upper Limb function following spinal cord injury; Peer Mentoring Education; and Needs Assessment Checklist. While the results were mixed and varied in significance, the Clinical Practice Guidelines programme was ineffective.
Conclusion: This review found mixed evidence for the effectiveness of activities of daily living education following spinal cord injury. It was evident that educational programmes improve the performance in activities of daily living, patient awareness, health and well-being.. Intermediate and long-term rehabilitation outcomes including self-efficacy, pain, and participation did not improve. Further clinical research on occupational therapy patient education during spinal cord injury rehabilitation to improve rehabilitation outcomes is needed.