Training therapists in motivational interviewing to boost rehab participation after spinal cord injury

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a multi-site, randomized controlled trial that trains and coaches inpatient physical and occupational therapists in motivational interviewing (MI) and compares patient outcomes to those treated by therapists without MI training. Participating therapists receive initial MI training plus ongoing coaching while patient outcomes are tracked during inpatient rehabilitation and at six months after discharge. Primary outcomes include patient participation in therapy sessions, functional improvement at discharge, and community integration at six months, with analysis of potential moderators and mediators of effect. The trial builds on a single-site pilot with promising results but expands to multiple centers to improve generalizability and therapist competency.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Therapist Inclusion Criteria:

* Inpatient therapist specializing in spinal cord injury patients for at least 3 months;
* Practicing at the designated SCI inpatient units at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Baylor Scott \& White Institute for Rehabilitation and University of Washington-Harborview Medical Center;
* Willing to audio record conversations during regularly-scheduled rehabilitation therapy sessions with patients;
* Willing and able to participate in 16 hours of MI training; and
* Willing to receive feedback on MI skills.

Therapist Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to speak and understand English
* Inpatient therapist specializing in spinal cord injury patients for less than 3 months; and
* Unwilling or unable to follow the study protocol

Patient Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (18+)
* Presence of a traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury
* Inpatient in the spinal cord injury unit of the three study sites
* Has a physical or occupational therapist who is a participant in the study

Patient Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to speak and understand English
* Cognitive deficits
* Unwilling to allow for therapy sessions to be recorded

Where it's running

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
  Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
• Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation
  Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting
• University of Washington - Harborview Medical Center
  Seattle, Washington, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Linda Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN — Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.