Conclusion : Combinations of peri- and post-injury factors appear to be influential in the development of PTSD among persons with SCI .
Objectives : To summarise quantitatively the available evidence relating to pretraumatic , peritraumatic and posttraumatic characteristics that may increase or decrease the risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) following spinal cord injury ( SCI ) .
Coping effectiveness training reduces depression and anxiety following traumatic spinal cord injuries.
OBJECTIVE To extend the findings of a pilot study that evaluated a brief group-based psychological intervention aim ed at improving psychological adjustment , self-perception and enhancing adaptive coping following spinal cord injury . The theoretical underpinnings of the Coping Effectiveness Training ( CET ) Programme are Lazarus and Folkman 's ( 1984 ) cognitive theory of stress and coping , and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques . DESIGN A controlled trial comparing patients that received the CET intervention with matched controls on measures of psychological adjustment and coping . METHOD A total of 45 intervention group participants and 40 matched controls were selected from in patients at a hospital-based spinal cord injury centre . Outcome measures of anxiety and depression , self-perception and coping were collected before , immediately after and 6 weeks following the intervention . RESULTS Intervention group participants showed a significant reduction in depression and anxiety , compared to the matched controls following the intervention . There was no evidence of a significant change in the pattern of coping strategies used by the intervention group compared to controls . The intervention group alone completed measures of self-perception . There was a significant decrease in the discrepancy between participants ' ' ideal ' self and ' as I am ' , and between ' as I would be without the injury ' and ' as I am ' following the intervention and at follow-up . Significant correlations were also found between self-perception , and anxiety and depression over time . CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the findings of the pilot study , that the CET intervention facilitated a significant improvement in psychological adjustment to spinal cord injury . It is proposed that this improvement may be understood in terms of changing participants ' negative appraisal s of the implication s of spinal cord injury with the result of increasing the perceived manageability of its consequences . Such decatastrophizing alters appraisal s which are associated with current mood . Participants found shared discussion and problem-solving to be particularly helpful . Avenues for further research are discussed
Conclusion : Combinations of peri- and post-injury factors appear to be influential in the development of PTSD among persons with SCI .
Objectives : To summarise quantitatively the available evidence relating to pretraumatic , peritraumatic and posttraumatic characteristics that may increase or decrease the risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) following spinal cord injury ( SCI ) .