Training therapists in motivational interviewing to boost rehab participation after spinal cord injury
Enhancing Rehabilitation Participation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder Using Motivational Interviewing
This trial will test whether training inpatient physical and occupational therapists in motivational interviewing helps adults with spinal cord injury take part more in rehabilitation and recover better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 180 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07364773 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury who are inpatients on the SCI units at one of the three participating sites and whose PT or OT is enrolled in the program.
Not a fit: Patients who are not inpatients at the participating centers, are under 18, or whose therapists are not enrolled are unlikely to be affected by this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could participate more actively in therapy and achieve better functional and community integration outcomes after spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: A prior single-site pilot funded by the Neilsen Foundation showed that MI-trained therapists achieved increased patient participation, but larger multi-site evidence is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois and 2 other locations
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.