Patient perception of the impact of sporting activity on rehabilitation in a spinal cord injuries unit.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish patients' perception of the effect of sport on rehabilitation. DESIGN: Single investigator telephone questionnaire survey. SETTING: Spinal Cord Injuries Unit, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. METHOD: A telephone questionnaire was administered to patients admitted over a 12-month period. Information on patient demographics, sports participation before and after injury and patients' perception of the impact of sports on rehabilitation was recorded. RESULTS: In all, 33 (84.6%) of the 39 patients could be contacted and all completed the questionnaire. Of the respondents 27 (81.8%) had a diagnosis of spinal cord injury. Six (18.2%) were female and 20 (60.6%) were below 45 years.A total of 15 (45.5%) patients previously participated in regular sporting activity. At least 24 (72.7%) tried one sport during admission. In all, 14 reported taking part in regular sporting activity after discharge, although 23 expressed a desire to do so. Of those 60% who had regularly exercised continued to do so and 27% of those who reported no regular sport, before injury, commenced regular active exercise. A general benefit of sporting activity was recognised by 78.8% and a rehabilitation benefit by 69.7%. Self-reported benefits included increase in fitness, quality of life, confidence and social contact. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of patients perceived sporting activity as beneficial. Patients exercising before injury were more likely to exercise after injury. All inpatients were introduced to sport by staff, emphasising the importance of this rehabilitation opportunity in planning in-patient care.