SPINE Program: Specialized Progression of Independence and Wellness for Adolescents with a Spinal Cord Injury

Research Objectives: SPINE is a community outreach program designed to progress independence and wellness for young persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) through therapeutic interventions, unique community outings, and education targeting areas that have been identified through evidence to facilitate a successful transition to adulthood.

Design: Case report. SPINE is a one week program (Mon-Fri, 9a-4p) led by PT, OT, CTRS.

Setting: Community-based, multi-disciplinary program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Participants: Inclusion criteria: SCI diagnosis; uses wheelchair or assistive device; >6 months since injury; ages 16-21. Total of 8 participants attended program across two separate weeks.

Interventions: Curriculum includes skill practice and education for topics including: advanced wheelchair and mobility skills, seating and mobility, driver’s rehabilitation, peer support, community and financial resources, educational opportunities, vocational rehabilitation, adult medical care, health and wellness, adapted sports, accessible travel, and mental health. Expert and multi-discipline guest speakers included driver rehabilitation specialist, panel of SCI peer mentors, social worker, and pediatric health psychologist. Unique community outings provided hands-on learning opportunities, including job simulation at local grocery store, travel on a public transportation train, exercise at a community gym, and practice boarding an airplane at the Atlanta airport.

Main Outcome Measures: Pre- and post-program surveys using Likert scale (1-5) measured effectiveness for improving functional mobility skills, confidence with self-care and responsibilities as an independent adult, preparation for work and traveling, knowledge of resources, peer mentorship, and self-advocacy in community settings. Average improvement of 2.12 points per topic.

Results: Participants reported positive improvements in all areas on the survey and indicated increased independence with adult life skills, which serve as positive predictors for a successful transition into adulthood.

Conclusions: The SPINE program serves as a successful community outreach program that meets educational and therapeutic needs of the adolescent SCI population in our community.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to research described in this study.