Post-Acute Functional Interventions Impact: SCI

This project was a retrospective approach using mixed methods to determine what occupations are being addressed during the residential programs of Empower for those with a spinal cord injury (SCI), and the impact they have on engagement and quality of life (QOL) rating. Empower is a community-based program that takes place for a few weeks over the summer in different parts of the U.S., with the vision, “A world in which all people living with spinal cord injuries have the freedom to thrive.” As a population, individuals with an SCI experience a life changing event, impacting their function and participation in daily occupations. Interventions addressed in traditional (outpatient) and non-traditional (community-based) settings differ, where one may be more beneficial than the other, in regards to improving QOL. Through Empower, individuals with an SCI are given the ability to engage and participate in recreational activities and interventions associated with self-chosen goals, while also receiving peer support from others with SCI. Data was analyzed using the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), looking at Empower data from the most recent five years. The GAS is a validated assessment tool used to measure goal achievement before and after intervention. Not only will this study benefit Empower by looking at what helped and/or limited goal progress for individuals during their time at Empower, but it will also help the SCI population by educating providers on engagement in meaningful activities & QOL rating.