Peer Mentoring Benefits in Rehabilitation for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

Importance: The lived experiences of peer mentors with spinal cord injury (SCI) provide distinct value in the rehabilitation process and contribute to improved outcomes. When combined with traditional therapy, peer mentorship programs can enhance life satisfaction among individuals living with SCI. Objective: To explore the impact that peer-led mentorship programs and interventions have on the rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MedNar, and OpenGrey were searched between 2014 and 2024. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool was adapted and used to assess risk of bias in the included studies. Study Selection and Data Collection: Inclusion criteria included individuals with SCI who participated in peer mentorship and reported outcomes on quality of life, well-being, independence, or activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental ADLs. Exclusion criteria included interventions conducted via telehealth or reported outcomes of social participation. Findings: Five articles were analyzed for synthesis, which included individuals 18 yr and older with an SCI. Findings support peer mentorship as an important component of rehabilitation. Findings may have limited generalizability across different settings and populations because of the small number of available studies and variability in study designs, interventions, and outcome measures. None of the articles reviewed included occupational therapists. Conclusions and Relevance: This review highlighted the benefits of peer mentorship in enhanced life satisfaction. Findings support peer mentorship as an important component of rehabilitation. Future research should examine the benefits of incorporating peer-led intervention programs across the continuum of care, including occupational therapy, in enhancing best practices in SCI rehabilitation. Plain-Language Summary: Peer mentorship programs can help people with spinal cord injuries adjust to daily life by providing guidance, support, and encouragement that professionals without lived experience may not offer. This review found that peer mentoring can improve psychological well-being and health management and reduce unplanned hospital visits. Evidence is limited because of the small number of studies and variations in study design; however, the results suggest that meaningful benefits may be present. Further research is needed to determine the most effective way to implement peer mentorship across rehabilitation settings.