Location
Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Room 1803
Event Type
Presentation
Start Date
12-7-2025 8:00 AM
End Date
December 2025
Description
Purpose: This study explored program outcomes of the Brooks Spinal Cord Injury & Related Disorders Day Treatment Program in Jacksonville, Florida. By examining secondary data, using both the Self-Reported Functional Measure (SRFM) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure–III (SCIM-III), researchers determined the change between admission and discharge scores in both patient- and therapist-reported outcomes of self-care skills. This study also studied if a correlation existed between the SRFM (patient-reported) and SCIM-III (therapist-reported) outcomes.
Participants: Data from 49 participant records were collected in 2022-2023, with 42 participants data qualifying for this study.
Methods: Using secondary de-identified data, statistical analyses were conducted using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test to examine change over time in self-care skills comparing admission and discharge scoring. Both the SCIM-III and the SRFM were analyzed to determine program effectiveness based on therapist reports and patient reports. This study also conducted a Spearman’s ρ and Kendall’s τ test to compare therapist and patient-reported outcome measures to assess convergent validity.
Results: Wilcoxon tests revealed statistically significant improvements across all self-care domains. Patient-reported effect size was large while therapist-reported effects were predominantly large (r = .56–.72), with a moderate effect for feeding (r = .35). Spearman’s ρ and Kendall’s τ test indicated moderate to strong correlation between patient- and therapist-reported outcomes at admission (ρ = .59–.81; τ = .52–.74) and remained moderate to strong at discharge (ρ = .47–.80; τ = .47–.73; p < .001).
Conclusion: Findings from this research support the effectiveness of Spinal Cord Injury Day Treatment Programs and their positive impact on functional independence and overall greater outcomes for those who can participate.
Implications: With limited access due to challenges with insurance coverage, this study highlights the need for broader access to similar programs and aims to advocate for policy changes related to increased coverage and funding.
Keywords
spinal cord injury, day treatment program, functional independence
Recommended Citation
Kane, C., Chappell, A., Frack, K., Salluom, S., & Meurs, B. (2025), Exploring Outcomes for Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries Participating in a Day Treatment Program, Presentation, Twelfth Annual Research Colloquium, Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Room 1803, https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ot_colloquium/twelfth/events/1
Included in
Exploring Outcomes for Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries Participating in a Day Treatment Program
Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Room 1803
Purpose: This study explored program outcomes of the Brooks Spinal Cord Injury & Related Disorders Day Treatment Program in Jacksonville, Florida. By examining secondary data, using both the Self-Reported Functional Measure (SRFM) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure–III (SCIM-III), researchers determined the change between admission and discharge scores in both patient- and therapist-reported outcomes of self-care skills. This study also studied if a correlation existed between the SRFM (patient-reported) and SCIM-III (therapist-reported) outcomes.
Participants: Data from 49 participant records were collected in 2022-2023, with 42 participants data qualifying for this study.
Methods: Using secondary de-identified data, statistical analyses were conducted using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test to examine change over time in self-care skills comparing admission and discharge scoring. Both the SCIM-III and the SRFM were analyzed to determine program effectiveness based on therapist reports and patient reports. This study also conducted a Spearman’s ρ and Kendall’s τ test to compare therapist and patient-reported outcome measures to assess convergent validity.
Results: Wilcoxon tests revealed statistically significant improvements across all self-care domains. Patient-reported effect size was large while therapist-reported effects were predominantly large (r = .56–.72), with a moderate effect for feeding (r = .35). Spearman’s ρ and Kendall’s τ test indicated moderate to strong correlation between patient- and therapist-reported outcomes at admission (ρ = .59–.81; τ = .52–.74) and remained moderate to strong at discharge (ρ = .47–.80; τ = .47–.73; p < .001).
Conclusion: Findings from this research support the effectiveness of Spinal Cord Injury Day Treatment Programs and their positive impact on functional independence and overall greater outcomes for those who can participate.
Implications: With limited access due to challenges with insurance coverage, this study highlights the need for broader access to similar programs and aims to advocate for policy changes related to increased coverage and funding.