The Sir Ludwig Guttmann lecture 2023: psychosocial factors and adjustment dynamics after spinal cord injury.

STUDY

DESIGN

Narrative review

OBJECTIVES

Sir Ludwig Guttmann realised spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation should incorporate more than a biomedical approach if SCI patients were to adjust to their injury and achieve productive social re-integration. He introduced components into rehabilitation he believed would assist his patients build physical strength as well as psychological resilience that would help them re-engage with their communities. We pay tribute to Sir Ludwig by presenting research that has focussed on psychosocial factors that contribute to adjustment dynamics after SCI.

SETTING

Not applicable.

METHODS

Five factors with a psychosocial source will be examined, featured in my research, namely psychological distress, cognitive impairment, pain catastrophizing, sleep disorder and fatigue. A multifactorial model of adjustment will be examined.

RESULTS

Evidence shows these factors can be significant barriers to adjustment and reciprocally related to self-efficacy and life decisions. A theoretical rehabilitation framework/model is presented called the SCI Adjustment Model (SCIAM), that explains the process of adjustment dynamics. It describes how multifactorial factors contribute to adjustment in a non-linear process over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Key clinical messages include: (i) adjustment dynamics will be enhanced if viewed through the lens of a multifactorial model that clarifies how multiple psychosocial factors can combine and act as barriers or facilitators to adjustment; (ii) judiciously using this information, assess and then strategize to reduce the influence of barriers or strengthen facilitators during SCI rehabilitation and beyond, and (iii) integrate psychosocial guidelines and a person-centred approach into SCI rehabilitation to achieve treatment goals.