P. Kennedy et B. Rogers, Reported quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries: a longitudinal analysis of the first 6 months post-discharge, SPINAL CORD, 38(8), 2000, pp. 498-503
Study design: A repeated measures design was employed with measures taken o
n two observational periods during the first 6 months post-discharge from h
ospital,
Objectives: To investigate the perceived importance of specific needs impli
cated in the development of quality of life (QOL), and the extent to which
these aspects have been achieved, in a group of people with spinal cord inj
ury (SCI) living in the community,
Setting: The National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and
the general community.
Methods: The study sample comprised 24 spinal cord injured patients dischar
ged from a national rehabilitation centre following a rehabilitation progra
mme. The Quality of Life and Needs Assessment Questionnaire was completed b
y participants at 1 and 6 months post discharge.
Results: No significant differences were found between the importance that
participants attributed to specific needs at months 1 and 6 post discharge.
Moreover, no significant differences were found between the extent to whic
h these needs were met at 1 and 6 months post discharge.
Conclusion: The reported quality of life of people who have a spinal cord i
njury remains stable during the first year following discharge.