Reported quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries: a longitudinal analysis of the first 6 months post-discharge

Study design: A repeated measures design was employed with measures taken on two observational periods during the first 6 months post-discharge from hospital, Objectives: To investigate the perceived importance of specific needs implicated in the development of quality of life (QOL), and the extent to which these aspects have been achieved, in a group of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the community, Setting: The National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and the general community. Methods: The study sample comprised 24 spinal cord injured patients discharged from a national rehabilitation centre following a rehabilitation programme. The Quality of Life and Needs Assessment Questionnaire was completed by participants at 1 and 6 months post discharge. Results: No significant differences were found between the importance that participants attributed to specific needs at months 1 and 6 post discharge. Moreover, no significant differences were found between the extent to which these needs were met at 1 and 6 months post discharge. Conclusion: The reported quality of life of people who have a spinal cord injury remains stable during the first year following discharge.