Effects of community peer-led programmes for people with spinal cord injury in Sweden–the INTERnational project for the evaluation of active rehabilitation (INTER-PEER)
(2025) In Spinal Cord 63(11). p.567-578- Abstract
Study design: Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Objectives: To assess the effects of Active Rehabilitation (AR) training programmes for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) on physical independence, self-efficacy and wheelchair skills, and to identify factors that are associated with gains in these outcomes. Setting: Eight consecutive AR programmes in Sweden. Methods: Participants (n = 111) with traumatic or nontraumatic SCI, aged 16 years and older, were evaluated at the start (T1) and completion (T2) of the programme, and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Assessments included standardised self-reported outcome measures (T1-T2-T3) and a practical wheelchair skills test (T1-T2). Results: After attending the short, intensive peer-led... (More)
Study design: Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Objectives: To assess the effects of Active Rehabilitation (AR) training programmes for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) on physical independence, self-efficacy and wheelchair skills, and to identify factors that are associated with gains in these outcomes. Setting: Eight consecutive AR programmes in Sweden. Methods: Participants (n = 111) with traumatic or nontraumatic SCI, aged 16 years and older, were evaluated at the start (T1) and completion (T2) of the programme, and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Assessments included standardised self-reported outcome measures (T1-T2-T3) and a practical wheelchair skills test (T1-T2). Results: After attending the short, intensive peer-led AR programmes, participants reported gains in physical independence, especially in dressing and washing, bowel management, bed mobility, and transfers. Wheelchair skills improved, while improvements in aspects of self-efficacy and resilience were observed only at programme completion. Gains in physical independence and self-reported wheelchair skills were present at the 3-month follow-up. With few exceptions, examined predictors did not explain the observed outcome gains. Conclusion: AR programmes offer an effective, low-cost opportunity to improve essential and challenging aspects of physical independence and wheelchair skills among community-dwelling individuals with SCI. Immediate gains in aspects of self-efficacy and resilience–though not sustained at follow-up–may provide an initial momentum for future behavioural change, particularly among individuals who struggle to adjust to life after SCI. These findings strongly support the inclusion of intensive, residential, community-based peer-led programmes as a key component of the rehabilitation continuum for people with SCI.
(Less)
- author
- Divanoglou, Anestis ; Berndtsson, Erik ; Tasiemski, Tomasz ; Fellinghauer, Carolina Saskia and Jörgensen, Sophie LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-11
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Spinal Cord
- volume
- 63
- issue
- 11
- pages
- 12 pages
- publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:41053174
- scopus:105018006068
- ISSN
- 1362-4393
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41393-025-01119-4
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 522bc0eb-bda9-434d-8c50-154794bf3d9b
- date added to LUP
- 2025-12-05 11:16:38
- date last changed
- 2025-12-06 03:00:13
@article{522bc0eb-bda9-434d-8c50-154794bf3d9b,
abstract = {{<p>Study design: Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Objectives: To assess the effects of Active Rehabilitation (AR) training programmes for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) on physical independence, self-efficacy and wheelchair skills, and to identify factors that are associated with gains in these outcomes. Setting: Eight consecutive AR programmes in Sweden. Methods: Participants (n = 111) with traumatic or nontraumatic SCI, aged 16 years and older, were evaluated at the start (T1) and completion (T2) of the programme, and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Assessments included standardised self-reported outcome measures (T1-T2-T3) and a practical wheelchair skills test (T1-T2). Results: After attending the short, intensive peer-led AR programmes, participants reported gains in physical independence, especially in dressing and washing, bowel management, bed mobility, and transfers. Wheelchair skills improved, while improvements in aspects of self-efficacy and resilience were observed only at programme completion. Gains in physical independence and self-reported wheelchair skills were present at the 3-month follow-up. With few exceptions, examined predictors did not explain the observed outcome gains. Conclusion: AR programmes offer an effective, low-cost opportunity to improve essential and challenging aspects of physical independence and wheelchair skills among community-dwelling individuals with SCI. Immediate gains in aspects of self-efficacy and resilience–though not sustained at follow-up–may provide an initial momentum for future behavioural change, particularly among individuals who struggle to adjust to life after SCI. These findings strongly support the inclusion of intensive, residential, community-based peer-led programmes as a key component of the rehabilitation continuum for people with SCI.</p>}},
author = {{Divanoglou, Anestis and Berndtsson, Erik and Tasiemski, Tomasz and Fellinghauer, Carolina Saskia and Jörgensen, Sophie}},
issn = {{1362-4393}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{11}},
pages = {{567--578}},
publisher = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
series = {{Spinal Cord}},
title = {{Effects of community peer-led programmes for people with spinal cord injury in Sweden–the INTERnational project for the evaluation of active rehabilitation (INTER-PEER)}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41393-025-01119-4}},
doi = {{10.1038/s41393-025-01119-4}},
volume = {{63}},
year = {{2025}},
}